Barcelona may welcome Garcia back for Atletico Madrid clash

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has received a boost with defender Eric Garcia nearing fitness ahead of the La Liga match against Atletico Madrid, according to Sport newspaper.

Barcelona will visit Atletico Madrid next Sunday in their final game before the international break. The Catalan side currently tops the table with 30 points from 11 matches, two points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and three clear of Real Madrid in third.

Garcia has been sidelined since suffering an injury during the win over Real Betis on October 17, but he returned to team training on Wednesday, moving closer to a potential return for the Atletico Madrid encounter.

Sport also reported that defender Andreas Christensen could be included in the squad for the match, though his participation will depend on the medical staff's decision.

The report added that Flick will make a final decision on Garcia's inclusion, despite earlier expectations that he would be out for at least three weeks.