Injury update: Barcelona aiming to get star midfielder back for Athletic Club clash

Despite a near-perfect start to the new season, Barcelona have found themselves in a precarious situation, with regard to injuries.

Following the early season injury of Pedri, the club were dealt a fresh blow this weekend as Frenkie de Jong picked up an ankle knock that may rule him out for the crucial El Clasico next month.

Barcelona want Pedri available against Athletic Bilbao

With de Jong unsure to feature against Real Madrid, Barcelona are determined to have Pedri available for this crucial fixture.

With that in mind, Barça are hoping that the young midfielder will be available for the October 21 clash against Athletic Club, roughly a week before the Real Madrid encounter.

This has been reported by Diario SPORT, which suggests that Pedri is currently in the midst of his recovery process, with Barcelona hoping to have him on the pitch somewhere around mid-October.

That leaves the Athletic Club game on October 21 as the ideal trial ground for Pedri, as he looks to make a blistering return, after a spell on the sidelines.

Barcelona’s other options in midfield

For now, though, Xavi must do without the services of two of his most trusted midfielders Pedri and De Jong.

While Pedri could return in less than a month, Barcelona must spend a chunk of the coming weeks with limited options in the middle of the park.

To that end, Xavi does have Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu, Gavi and even Sergi Roberto as his immediate alternatives in midfield.

But given the limited options and a seemingly strenuous schedule, Xavi may have to pull out his wild cards, which include options such as the highly talented Marc Casado.

As for Pedri, he will continue to focus on his recovery and hope for a speedy return to the thick of things.