#joan-garcia

#joan-garcia

Barcelona have received another major boost ahead of their La Liga clash against Elche, as Mundo Deportivo reports that goalkeeper Joan Garcia's return is not being ruled out. The summer signing from Espanyol, who suffered a tear in the internal meniscus of his left knee during a match against Real Oviedo in September, is showing faster-than-expected recovery progress, giving the club renewed optimism about his comeback.

All four players will be out of action until at least after the international break, meaning they will miss Sunday's game against Real Sociedad, the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday and the trip to Sevilla on Oct. 5. On a more positive note, both Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde trained on Friday and could return from their respective injuries against Real Sociedad this weekend.

"If I'd felt pressure, I would have brought him in," De la Fuente said. "We monitor all the goalkeepers, and Joan could be here now, before, or in the future. And not because he's at Barca. I want to tell you that players from clubs don't come here; this is the national team, regardless of the club they come from. "Let's not make assumptions about whether six or seven come from one club... Let's give this importance. Joan's time will come, for sure."

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García will be available for Saturday's league opener against Mallorca after LaLiga granted the club permission to use salary space allocated for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.