An insight into the chances of Memphis Depay marking his return to the pitch in Barcelona’s upcoming meeting with Napoli has been provided on Monday.

Attacker Depay has of course not featured for Xavi Hernandez’s side for over a month now, owing to an ongoing thigh problem.

There had been hope, however, that the Dutch international would be cleared for a return to action this week, when Barca welcome Serie A giants Napoli to the Camp Nou, for the first leg of the highly-anticipated Europa League showdown between the clubs.

But, if the latest word doing the rounds online on Monday is anything to go by, then those of a Blaugrana persuasion will be made to wait a little longer to catch a first glimpse of Depay since early January.

The latest on Memphis Depay’s chances of featuring for Barcelona vs Napoli

VIGO, SPAIN – AUGUST 21: Frenkie de Jong & Memphis Depay during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic de Bilbao v FC Barcelona at the Estadio San Mames on August 21, 2021 in Vigo Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

This comes amid claims that the former Manchester United talent will not be risked versus Napoli.

As per a report from Fernando Polo of Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the medical team at Barca are concerned over the possibility of Depay suffering a relapse this week.

In turn, though he has returned to first-team training alongside the rest of the club’s squad, the 28-year-old will not be afforded any playing time in Barca’s return to European action, instead in line for a potential comeback against Valencia three days later.

Araujo latest

Depay, though, is not the only key member of Xavi’s panel of stars who appears altogether likely to sit out proceedings in Catalunya on Thursday.

This comes with the Blaugrana also sweating over the fitness of star defender Ronald Araujo.

Uruguayan international Araujo was forced into a premature departure from the club’s La Liga derby with Espanyol on Sunday night, owing to a fresh fitness problem.

And Barcelona have since released a statement on the 22-year-old, confirming that Araujo has suffered a calf injury, with his ‘recovery to determine his availability’ moving forward.

 

Why Ronald Araujo sent a public apology to Espanyol after Barcelona derby

Chelsea & FC Barcelona vying it out for Serie A defender