Dembele returns in January

CAIRO – 17 December 2017: Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde revealed on Saturday that his French winger, Ousmane Dembele, will not play in El Clasico against Real Madrid on Saturday, December 23.

“Dembele is fine. This week he has started taking part in more sessions with the group, but he hasn't yet completed a full training workout. We are continuing on the same plan. We think that he can be back by January; anything else would be a risk," Valverde told press ahead of their game against Deportivo de La Coruña on Sunday in the Spanish League.

Dembele, 21, joined Barcelona this summer from Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, but he played only three games with the club because he got injured during their game against Getafe on September 16.

Valverde spoke about the chance of losing Sergio Busquets against Real Madrid, as he is one yellow card away from suspension. Valverde said, “It's a scenario we have to take into account, but you never know how these games can go; the three points are the same in both matches. A card can be given to a player on the pitch, on the bench or in the tunnel."

Barcelona faces Deportivo de La Coruña on Sunday in the Spanish league.