Ronald Araujo to travel with Barcelona for Borussia Dortmund clash as return looms

Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo has been back training with the squad for around two weeks now and is closing in on his return to action following hamstring surgery. He is expected to be part of their expedition to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Araujo will be part of the Champions League squad, Sport reports, but is unlikely to feature in their match at Signal Iduna Park. However, to get the medical green light, he could get it on German soil, but it is not certain if he will get it before the match. Barcelona will stay in Dortmund on Wednesday evening and train there on Thursday morning. Araujo’s presence is therefore partly logistical, allowing him to continue training with the team.

The 25-year-old is expected to make his return against Leganes on Sunday evening, when he will once again begin a gradual introduction into the team, likely off the bench to start. Manager Hansi Flick will no doubt be happy to have Araujo back and hopefully fit in January. Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi have played virtually the entire campaign so far, with Eric Garcia only recently available as a senior substitute, and Sergi Dominguez playing here and there.