Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde expected to return for El Clasico

Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde are set to return from injury in time for Barcelona’s clash with Real Madrid.

Both players have been unavailable for the Spanish side’s last two matches after picking up injuries during the international break.

De Jong was subbed off at half-time in the Netherlands’ match with Belgium with a hamstring issue and promptly returned to his club to receive treatment.

Kounde meanwhile also picked up a hamstring injury playing for France, and it was initially feared that he had torn it, thus ruling himself out for a long time.

However, it turned out that the issue wasn’t that serious, and reports from Spain now state that he should be fit to return for the match with Real Madrid next weekend, although he will still miss the games against Celta Vigo and Inter.

The same can’t be said for De Jong, who has been included in the squad list for the match aginst Celta and therefore seems to have fully recovered from his injury already.

That’s a big boost for Xavi and co. who are in desperately need to beat Inter after losing to both the Italian side and Bayern Munich in their Champions League group.

Sergio Busquets struggled at San Siro, so it’s highly possible that the Dutchman will replace the Spaniard at the base of the Barcelona midfield on Wednesday evening.

With Kounde still out along with Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, it’s also possible that he’ll play in defence.