Barcelona midfield superstar rules out surgery, expected to return in two weeks

There has been a lot of concern surrounding the fitness situation of FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The Netherlands international suffered an ankle injury in April during a game against Real Madrid and was expected to be back in only a few weeks.

But more than four months out, De Jong is still not back in action and there has been a lack of clarity over his condition as well as a potential return date.

It was suggested earlier this week that he could return next month. But reports today stated that De Jong risks a relapse as his ankle is still tender and fragile and that he needs to undergo surgery to have any hope of returning to 100% fitness.

No surgery for De Jong

However, now, according to MARCA, De Jong has decided not to undergo surgery and continue with the current conservative treatment he has been following.

It is true that the midfielder did consider the possibility of surgery, with some of his friends also recommending it to him in order to get his ankle completely healed.

However, the former AFC Ajax ace decided to be more conservative and to do a recovery treatment with the club’s physiotherapists.

Although he is yet to get back to full fitness, at the moment the improvement is evident, as sources at the club who are following his recovery acknowledge.

Since being withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for the Euros, De Jong has been working hard with the club’s recovery coaches to try to get back as soon as possible.

Comeback in two weeks?

The report adds that De Jong is working intensely with the new physios who have joined the club and it seems to be bearing fruit as the midfielder could return after the international break in September.

De Jong was in Holland a few days ago undergoing tests to check the condition of the ankle he injured three times last season. The tests have been satisfactory and have confirmed that the ankle is improving.

For the moment, he is still working on his own, but it is expected that he will be available for Hansi Flick in two weeks’ time.

If true, it will be a massive boost for Flick and Barcelona as they are short of options in midfield following Marc Bernal’s season-ending ACL injury.