Barcelona defender at risk of surgery if injury does not improve

Barcelona have been working on rehabilitating injured players in recent weeks and hope to have Ronald Araujo back this month if all goes to plan, but Eric Garcia has suffered a setback that will keep him out for much longer than expected.

As reported by RAC1’s Laia Tudell, Garcia was due to return last week but is now expected to be out until after the international break due to a sports hernia. The injury can be cured with simple rest, but there is a risk he may need surgery if the condition does not improve.

At this time, this is not planned and the option is not being considered. Garcia has not played much this season due to injuries and suspensions and his opportunities could be further reduced with the returns of Araujo and Andreas Christensen.

Garcia has also been deployed in midfield this season, with Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez dropping back into the middle midfield, and the 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from the club next year.