Frenkie de Jong steps up Barcelona comeback as Lamine Yamal reacts to training update

Frenkie de Jong is closing in on a return to action after sharing images of his individual training at Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

The Netherlands midfielder posted the photographs on Saturday as he continued his recovery from a medial ligament tear in his knee, suffered while representing his country at the World Cup.

According to Sport, De Jong could train alongside his Barcelona team-mates on Monday, with a gradual return to group sessions also possible from the start of next week. He has not featured in a match since 30 June.

De Jong chose conservative treatment for the injury rather than undergoing surgery. His latest social media post showed him working alone at the training centre and was accompanied by an emoji depicting a climber scaling a mountain.

The update quickly prompted messages of support from his Barcelona colleagues, who welcomed the prospect of seeing the midfielder return to the squad.

Lamine Yamal, Karim Adeyemi, Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsi and Dani Olmo all reacted to De Jong’s post. The responses came as the 28-year-old continued the final stages of his rehabilitation and began the countdown to a possible return to competitive football.

Barcelona are also monitoring the progress of several other injured players.

Juan Garcia, Roony Bardghji and Christensen remain on individual recovery programmes. Of those players, the goalkeeper is considered the closest to rejoining full training with the rest of the squad.

De Jong has been working separately from his team-mates as he rebuilds his fitness, but the possibility of taking part in group work on Monday represents the next step in his recovery. Any return will be managed gradually following the decision to avoid surgery on the knee injury.