Just in – Barcelona midfield heavyweight not training due to illness ahead of El Clasico

In a rather concerning development, Carlos Monfort of SPORT reports that Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is not training with the rest of the team three days before the first El Clasico of the season.

The Blaugrana take on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday in a top-of-the-table encounter.

As it is, they will be without important players such as Joan Garcia, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Now, it appears that Barça could be sweating over the availability of key midfielder De Jong as well.

As per the update, De Jong was not training with the rest of the team today and has left the Ciutat Esportiva already.

Not in training. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

That is because the Netherlands international was feeling unwell and was in no state to be able to train this morning.

This is naturally a big concern for Barcelona , but at the same time, with the Clasico still three days away, there is time for the Dutchman to recover and make himself available for Hansi Flick.

De Jong is one of the main pieces of the team for the German tactician and having him available for the Clasico on Sunday is crucial, even more so given the number of absentees that Barcelona are already dealing with of late.

While more details are awaited, Barça will hope to have their ace midfielder fit and ready to face Xabi Alonso & co. at the Santiago Bernabeu come Sunday.

Meanwhile, as reported on Wednesday , Raphinha is expected to be fit and available for selection for the Clasico , having resumed group training after recovering from his hamstring injury.