Barça’s worst fears were confirmed on Thursday – Ronald Araújo will undergo surgery on Friday The Uruguayan central defender will be operated on by consultant Xavier Mir. Aráujo fractured second and third metacarpal bones in his right hand according to the medical report issued by Barcelona medical services. It will be difficult for medical staff to put a time frame on how long the player will be out for until he is out of surgery but club estimate the recovery period will be between three and four weeks.
Aráujo will miss the league games against Granada, Rayo and Alavés as well as next week’s Spanish Super Cup. With luck, he will be back and fully fit for Barcelona’s Europa League meeting with Napoli on 17 January.
Less serious is Frenkie de Jong’s injury – he overtstretched his left calf muscle and will sit out Saturday’s game against Granada and is doubtful for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final date with Real Madrid on 12 January.
Barcelona boost On a more positive note, Xavi should have at least seven players back for the Granada trip. Memphis and Ansu are due to be given the medical all-clear on Friday, and Pedri is set to return if he tests negative in tomorrow’s round of PCR tests. Luuk de Jong will be available again after completing the first half of a two-match ban in the Copa del Rey. Medical staff are hopeful that Umtiti and Lenglet are now over the worst of their stomach complaints. And finally recent arrival Ferran Torres hopes to test negative so that he can be registered with LaLiga.
Precious
