Ousmane Dembele Returns to Barcelona Squad After Three Months Out With Injury

Ousmane Dembele Returns to Barcelona Squad After Three Months Out With Injury

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 29, 2023 at 8:19 AM
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  • French forward Ousmane Dembele is fit again and has been included in the Barcelona squad to face Real Betis
  • Dembele has been out of action for the Catalan giants since suffering a hamstring injury in January
  • Dembele has scored five goals and created five assists in La Liga this season for Barcelona

Barcelona has been handed a significant boost in pursuing their first La Liga title in three years following the return to fitness of crucial winger Ousmane Dembele.

Dembele had been one of the club’s standout players this season before he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for three months.

Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele, La Liga, France, Camp Nou, Xavi
Ousmane Dembele has been sidelined for three months after he suffered a hamstring injury in January. Photo by Eric Alonso
Source: Getty Images

The 25-year-old forward’s absence proved costly for Barcelona as the Catalans were knocked out of the Europa League and Copa del Rey while injured.

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According to Football Espana, Dembele has been included in Barcelona’s squad for the first time since January as they prepare to take on Real Betis on Saturday, April 29.

Barcelona will hope the French forward’s return will propel them to their first La Liga title in three years as La Blaugrana holds an 11-point lead against Real Madrid with seven games to the end of the season.

Xavi admits Barcelona have missed Dembele

Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandes has admitted the Catalan club had missed the services of Ousmane Dembele following the winger’s long absence from the first-team squad, Tribal Football reports.

Xavi revealed that Dembele’s injury had taken longer than expected after the French forward was ruled out for three months after picking up a hamstring injury in January.

Dembele is expected to play a substitute role when Barcelona takes on Real Betis as Xavi tries to ease the 25-year-old forward back into the first team after a long absence.

Dembele’s recovery period extended

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Ousmane Dembele has been one of Barcelona’s stars this season. Still, the winger’s slow recovery from his recent injury is now a cause of concern for the Catalans.

The 25-year-old forward was ruled out for five to six weeks after picking up a knock in February, as doctors predicted his return to full fitness in March.

Dembele is expected to spend another 2-3 weeks on the sidelines as Barcelona’s medical and coaching staff wants to ensure his complete recovery to avoid the risk of any relapse.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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