Barcelona injuries: Fitness updates and return dates after November international break

With Barcelona set to ramp up their La Liga title defence following November's international break, they have been dealt a major injury blow.

The Spanish champions will be without influential midfielder Gavi for some time after the youngster sustained a serious injury on international duty.

While Barca are ready to welcome back some of their other absentees in the coming weeks, Gavi's absence will be sorely felt in Catalonia.

Here are the latest updates on Barcelona's current injuries.

Issue: Knee
Potential return: June 2024

In what has come as devastating news to Barcelona, Spain and Gavi, the 19-year-old is set to miss therest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered against Georgia in Euro 2024 qualifying. The youngster left the field in floods of tears and his worst fears have been confirmed.

Not only will Gavi be absent for the remainder of Barcelona's season, there is also a real possibility that he misses Euro 2024 with Spain next summer.

«Gavi is broken, destroyed,» said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente. «He didn't think these things could happen to him. When they have not happened to you before, you can think you're not vulnerable, but we are very fragile.»

Fortunately for Barca, Pedri returned from injury just before the international break to help ease Xavi's midfield concerns. However, Gavi remains a gargantuan absentee for the Catalan club.

Issue: Ankle
Potential return: Rayo Vallecano (A) (25/11/2023)

Gavi's absence should also be eased by the return of Frenkie de Jong. Xavi has insisted that the midfielder is in line to return after the international break against Rayo Vallecano, although he may be gradually brought back into the starting lineup having missed two months of football.

The Dutchman