Barcelona injury news for Monaco Champions League clash: Gavi, Ansu Fati updates

Barcelona return to action on Thursday evening when they square off against Monaco in their opening fixture of this season's Champions League.

The Catalan giants could not have hoped for a better start to life under Hansi Flick, recording five successive victories in La Liga to sit top of the standings.

Flick witnessed his side breeze past fellow Champions League participants Girona at the weekend, yet the German still has widespread injury concerns to contend with ahead of this contest.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Barcelona's injury and suspension news ahead of the trip to Stade Louis II to face the Ligue 1 giants.

Ansu Fati

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Foot Possible return date: September 19 (vs. Monaco)

Fati has been making good progress in his recovery from a foot injury that he sustained in late July. Although Fati was in contention to feature in Sunday's matchday squad, Barcelona decided to adopt a cautious approach and put off his comeback until at least Thursday's meeting with Monaco.

Gavi

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Gavi has been out of action since sustaining a serious knee injury while representing Spain in November 2023. The midfielder has stepped up his recovery with a return to training, but there is still no date for when he will return to competitive action.

Fermin Lopez

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: September 25 (vs. Getafe)

Lopez picked up a hamstring injury in the recent international period. The midfielder sustained the issue in his first training session with Spain Under-21s, with Barcelona confirming that he would be out of action for three weeks.

Marc Bernal

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

The 17-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in last month's away clash with Rayo. The club recently confirmed that Bernal had undergone a successful operation and is now expected to be out of action for 12 months.

Ronald Araujo

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: Unknown

Araujo has missed the start of the season after undergoing hamstring surgery in July, and he is not expected to return to competitive action until the latter stages of 2024.

Frenkie de Jong

Status: Out Type of injury: Ankle Possible return date: Unknown

De Jong is still struggling with an ankle injury that he picked up in El Clasico against Real Madrid in April. The club have reportedly recommended surgery, but the midfielder is reluctant to undergo an operation.

Andreas Christensen

Status: Out Type of injury: Achilles Possible return date: Unknown

Christensen remains unavailable for selection after missing the last four matches and Denmark's recent international fixtures due to an Achilles problem.

Dani Olmo

Status: Out Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: Unknown

Barcelona were dealt a major blow on Sunday when Dani Olmo suffered a thigh injury. The Spanish club have since revealed that the playmaker will not return until after the October international break.

BARCELONA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Although Araujo is suspended for this contest due to the red card collected against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of last season's quarter-final, the defender is unavailable through injury.