Injured Barcelona youngster aims to return in May as he enters final phase of recovery | OneFootball

Marc Casado has been one of the breakout stars of the season for FC Barcelona under Hansi Flick. After captaining Barça Atletic last season, the La Masia midfielder has nailed down a place in the first-team squad.

Casado made 36 senior appearances for Flick’s team, scoring one and assisting six goals, before suffering an injury last month.

Casado resumes light training on the grass

But there is a positive update regarding the young midfielder’s progress as journalist Santi Ovalle reports that Marc Casado has entered the final stretch of his recovery and is aiming for a return next month.

The 21-year-old La Masia product sustained a partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in mid-March, with the club initially estimating around two months on the sidelines.

Making good progress in his recovery. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Now, roughly a month later, Casado has begun light work on the pitch, gradually building towards a return to full fitness after spending several weeks with his knee immobilised in a brace.

Barcelona remain committed to taking a cautious approach with the youngster’s recovery and as such, there will be no rush regarding his comeback.

There had been talk about how it would be practically impossible for the La Masia graduate to make a return before the end of the season.

But Casado is working with the aim of returning in May – just in time for the final two La Liga fixtures against Athletic Club and Villarreal, and possibly for the UEFA Champions League final in Munich on 31 May, should the Blaugrana qualify.

While the timeline remains tentative, his return to the grass is a positive sign, and hopes are high that he can feature before the season ends.