Barcelona are working to ensure Jules Kounde recovers from his ankle injury in time for Saturday’s La Liga encounter against Alaves, while Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia are reportedly making encouraging progress in their respective recoveries.

According to a report by Barca Universal on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the Spanish club is facing a challenging period because of several defensive injuries, leaving manager Hansi Flick with fewer options as Barcelona prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.

Kounde remains unavailable for full first-team training as he continues recovering from an ankle sprain. Barcelona are hoping that the additional recovery time following their El Clasico encounter will allow the French defender to regain sufficient fitness to return against Alaves.

However, his availability remains uncertain because he had yet to resume first-team training as of Wednesday. Even if his rehabilitation progresses as expected, he would have only two training sessions with his teammates before Saturday’s match.

The limited preparation time could make it difficult for Barcelona’s medical staff and coaching team to determine whether Kounde is ready to return to competitive action. The club is therefore expected to assess his condition carefully before deciding whether he can be included in the squad.

Despite the uncertainty, Kounde is reportedly the most likely of the three senior defenders to feature against Alaves. His potential return would provide Flick with an additional option at the back as Barcelona attempt to manage their defensive problems without placing unnecessary pressure on players recovering from injuries.

Barcelona currently have four defenders sidelined, with teenage defender Xavi Espart recently joining the injury list. The youngster reportedly sustained an injury during El Clasico following a heavy challenge from Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

Espart’s recovery is expected to take approximately seven weeks, meaning he could remain unavailable for a significant portion of the upcoming fixtures. His absence further reduces Flick’s defensive options at a time when the team needs to maintain consistency across domestic and European competitions.

Meanwhile, Christensen is approaching five weeks out of action after suffering a tear in the rectus femoris muscle of his left quadriceps. The Danish defender’s injury has prevented him from contributing to Barcelona’s defensive setup, but his recovery is reportedly progressing towards a possible return in November.

Barcelona are targeting their Champions League fixture against Aston Villa on November 3 as a potential date for Christensen’s comeback. His availability will depend on the progress he makes during rehabilitation and whether the medical team considers him fit enough to resume competitive football.

If Christensen receives medical clearance in time, he could initially return as a substitute rather than immediately reclaiming a starting position. This approach would allow the coaching staff to manage his workload while giving him an opportunity to regain match fitness gradually.

The possibility of Christensen returning against Aston Villa would offer Flick another defensive option, particularly if Kounde remains unavailable or is not yet ready to play a full match.

Garcia is also making progress following a quadriceps injury sustained during Barcelona’s encounter against Real Betis on October 17. His initial recovery period was estimated at three to four weeks, placing the November 8 fixture against Atletico Madrid as his expected return date.

However, Barcelona have reportedly not ruled out the possibility of Garcia recovering in time for the Champions League meeting with Aston Villa on November 3. Such a return would be earlier than initially anticipated, although the club has yet to confirm that he will be available for the match.

The defender’s progress will be monitored closely as Barcelona determine whether he can safely resume training and participate in competitive fixtures. Returning too early could expose him to further complications, making medical clearance an important factor in the final decision.

With several important matches approaching, Flick faces the challenge of managing his remaining defensive resources while maintaining the team’s competitiveness. The availability of Kounde, Christensen and Garcia could influence his selection decisions and determine how much rotation is possible during the coming weeks.

Barcelona’s medical team is expected to continue evaluating each player individually before making recommendations about their return dates. Although the club would benefit from restoring its experienced defenders, the priority remains ensuring that they are sufficiently recovered to withstand the physical demands of competitive football.

For now, Kounde’s chances of featuring against Alaves remain uncertain, while Christensen and Garcia are reportedly working towards possible returns in early November. Their progress could provide Barcelona with much-needed defensive reinforcements, provided each player receives medical clearance before returning to action.