Ebrima Tuncara has returned to full training with Barcelona’s youth set-up after completing six weeks of rehabilitation from an ankle ligament injury.
The midfielder was injured during a friendly match in Vilanova, where he suffered a serious foul. Before the setback, Tuncara had completed the entire pre-season programme with the first team under Hansi Flick and appeared in several warm-up fixtures.
He played 45 minutes in Barcelona’s opening pre-season game against Birmingham before completing the full 90 minutes in a triangular tournament featuring Udinese and Nottingham Forest.
Tuncara was introduced from the bench alongside Bissouma in the closing stages of the match against Basel. He did not play against Nottingham Forest and was also absent from the Gamper Trophy.
Despite returning to full training on Tuesday, the coaching staff are taking a cautious approach to his comeback. Tuncara is not expected to be involved in this weekend’s match against SD Logrones.
If his recovery continues without complication, he could make his competitive season debut for Barcelona Atletic two rounds later, when they host Utebo. He is expected to wear the number 10 shirt.
Tuncara is also understood to be keen to avoid rushing his return, with Spain due to compete at the U17 World Cup between November and December.
The midfielder will join a Barcelona Atletic side managed by Juliano Belletti that has made an unbeaten start to its Primera Federacion campaign.
Barcelona Atletic have won four of their five matches and drawn the other, leaving them top of the league table as the division’s only undefeated team. Tuncara’s return is expected to provide further strength as the club pursues promotion.
He is also expected to be given the opportunity to make his official first-team debut for Barcelona at a later stage.
