Barcelona injury update: Ronald Araujo return date vs Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona face Rayo Vallecano in La Liga clash as they aim for second place, with injury updates on key players.

Barcelona is gearing up for a crucial La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano as they aim to secure second place in the table. Following a recent 2-0 victory over Almeria, Xavi's side is now four points ahead of Girona in third place. A win in this upcoming match would solidify their position behind champions Real Madrid.

Unfortunately, Barcelona is facing some injury setbacks heading into this important fixture. Gavi is still sidelined with a knee injury sustained while playing for Spain, ruling him out for the rest of the season. First-choice left-back Alejandro Balde is also unavailable due to a hamstring injury that required surgery, with his return date uncertain. Star midfielder Frenkie de Jong is nursing an ankle injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, although he has been included in the provisional Netherlands squad for Euro 2024. Additionally, defender Ronald Araujo is a major doubt for the match due to knee pain, but his availability remains uncertain.

On the bright side, Barcelona has no players suspended for the upcoming game, and Ilkay Gundogan will be back in action after missing the last match against Almeria. With key players out injured and the competition heating up in La Liga, Barcelona will need to dig deep to secure a vital victory against Rayo Vallecano.