Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has said that Robert Lewandowski is in line to feature in next week's Champions League clash against Inter Milan, while Alejandro Balde is also on the verge of returning to action.
Lewandowski was forced off with a hamstring injury in the latter stages of Barcelona's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo on April 19, which has seen him miss the team's last three matches in all competitions.
The Poland international will again be sidelined against Real Valladolid on Saturday night, but Flick has revealed that the team's leading goalscorer has a strong chance of being available for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final with Inter on Tuesday.
Balde, meanwhile, has been missing since suffering a hamstring issue against Leganes on April 12, but the Spain international is also in line to return against Inter; a spot on the bench against Real Valladolid has also not been ruled out.
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Barcelona duo Lewandowski, Balde on verge of injury returns
"We can't take any risks. Robert is developing very well and we'll have to wait and see with Balde," Flick told reporters during his press conference on Saturday.
"He (Lewandowski) could be back for the second leg. Robert is doing very well and his development is going much better than we expected. We'll have to see. He is a great professional and always works hard to be 100%. He might be back on Tuesday."
Marc Casado has also handed Barcelona a major fitness boost by returning to training earlier than expected, with the midfielder recovering from the knee injury that he suffered before the March international break.
"We have to wait and see how they develop day by day. They are on the right track but we have to wait. It's the same as Casado, who did part of the training today," Flick added.
Marc Bernal remains a long-term absentee for Barcelona, while Jules Kounde is also on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, with the latter battling to return before the end of the campaign.
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Ter Stegen will start against Real Valladolid
Flick also confirmed during his press conference that the club's number one goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be back in the starting side against Real Valladolid after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Ter Stegen returned to the bench for the Copa del Rey final last weekend, having recovered from the knee injury which has sidelined him since September, and he will be between the sticks against the division's basement side.
"Yes, Marc will play tomorrow. We can finish the press conference now. I think it's good for goalkeepers to have a little bit of minutes to recover. Marc is on a good way and his performance in training is fantastic," said Flick.
"I'm not thinking about changing anything until the end of the season, but I might. That's the way things are. For the moment, Marc will play tomorrow."
Barcelona drew 3-3 with Inter in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, while they are currently top of the La Liga table, four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid on the same number of matches.
Matt Law
