Barca face dilemma over Balde’s availability for Inter Champions League tie

Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde will meet with the medical staff on Monday to determine whether he can return to training after recovering from the left biceps femoris injury he suffered against Leganes on 12 April.

The initial prognosis for the injury was three weeks out, putting his availability for the clash against Inter Milan on 30 April in doubt.

Balde is eager to play in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, but the recent Copa del Rey winner is wary of the risk of re-injury.

Sources confirm that the 20-year-old has taken his rehabilitation to the limit, and the club stresses the high recurrence rate associated with hamstring injuries if they are rushed.

They are considering delaying his return until the weekend's La Liga match against Valladolid on 27 April in order to ensure he is fully fit for the second leg in Milan on 7 May.