Koeman provides injury update on Barcelona defender

The FC Barcelona manager has offered an injury update on a key defender ahead of the club’s latest La Liga match on Wednesday.

Ronald Araujo will miss the Elche game on Wednesday, says Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman, who refused to rule the center-back out for Saturday’s trip to Sevilla.

An ankle injury has sidelined Araujo from Barcelona’s last four games, including the Copa del Rey loss to Sevilla and the Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

The 21-year-old has made gradual progress on his recovery, but he’s yet to resume full training with the first-team squad. Therefore, for the time being at least, he remains unavailable for selection.

❗Ronald Araújo is ruled out for tomorrow's match against Elche.

• The Uruguayan centre-back could return to action away at Sevilla on Saturday with the idea of starting the Copa del Rey match against the same opponents next Wednesday.#FCB 🇺🇾

Via (🟢): @RogerTorello [md] pic.twitter.com/lPneUczY1F

— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) February 23, 2021

“He’s improving,” said Koeman on Araujo as quoted by Diario Sport.

“He won’t make it for tomorrow because he’s still not trained with the group. He’s working with the physios, but first of all he will have to train with the group and see what the sensations are.”

Araujo has become a key player at Camp Nou this season and his return would be welcome ahead of a gruelling doubleheader with Sevilla in LaLiga and Copa del Rey on Saturday and next Wednesday.

“There are doubts and we have to wait,” Koeman added on the young defender. “He could be (ready) for Saturday or for next Wednesday… but it’s not good to give concrete dates.”

Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho, and Sergi Roberto are also set to remain unavailable as Barcelona welcome Elche to Camp Nou on Wednesday night.