Injury update: Atletico Madrid winger could return in time for Barcelona encounter

Atletico Madrid will face La Liga leaders FC Barcelona on April 23 away at Camp Nou. And, according to MARCA, they may receive a fitness boost in time for the game as Memphis Depay could be back to face his former club.

The Netherlands forward suffered a thigh injury during the international break last month during the game against Gibraltar.

Upon returning to Atletico Madrid, Depay was subjected to further tests following which it was reported that the 29-year-old could be out for a period of two to three weeks.

The former Barcelona ace’s recovery is understood to be on track, but he will be unavailable for Atletico Madrid’s upcoming game against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

But, as per the report, there is every chance that Depay will be back in the reckoning in time for the match against Barcelona on April 23.

In fact, it is claimed that the striker could even become available for the next week’s La Liga encounter versus UD Almeria. But in case he does not recover in time for that clash, Depay’s availability for the Barcelona game is being seen as a given.

The Dutch ace left Barça for Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, in a deal worth €4 million.

Since joining the Rojiblancos, Depay has played eight matches across all competitions and has scored three goals in the process.

The ex-Manchester United ace has been critical of Barcelona in the recent past, when he said: “I need a certain kind of training to be in an optimal physical state. That didn’t always go well at Barcelona, but it does at Atlético. The way of working suits me perfectly.”

Given that, he will be hoping to prove a point or two when he gets a chance against Barça at Camp Nou later this month.