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FC Barcelona will be back in action in La Liga on Sunday with a home against Deportivo Alaves, hoping to stay in touch with league leaders Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick’s side go into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League and will be intent on getting back to winning ways.
Leading up to the game, the Blaugrana have been greeted with mixed news on the injury front, with one player set to return and another’s comeback still uncertain.
Inigo Martinez will be back, but no Dani Olmo
Indeed, according to journalist Adria Albets, Barcelona could welcome key defender Inigo Martinez back to the squad for Sunday’s clash against Deportivo Alaves.
However, star attacking midfielder Dani Olmo will still be unavailable, with his return likely to take place next Thursday in the Copa del Rey clash vs Valencia.
Martinez to return vs Alaves, Olmo next week. (Photo by Fabio Deinert/Getty Images for Qatar Airways)Martinez has missed Barcelona’s last five matches across all competitions after suffering a hamstring injury during the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid.
But as per the update, the 33-year-old, who is set to sign a new contract imminently, has been training very well in recent days and as such, he could be given the medical all-clear in time to face Alaves on Sunday afternoon.
Everything will depend on how the veteran Spaniard is feeling in tomorrow’s training session before a final call is made on his comeback.
Olmo’s case
As for Olmo, it was initially expected that the Spaniard’s return could take place against Atalanta or Alaves this week, but things have not progressed as planned.
Given his history of muscle problems, Barcelona do not intend to take any risks with the 26-year-old, although there are concerns that their marquee summer signing has already missed a large chunk of matches in his debut season.
Now, the plan is for Olmo to make his comeback in the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Valencia on Thursday away at the Mestalla.
