Barca's De Jong to miss end of season with ankle sprain

Frenkie de Jong is set to miss the rest of the season after Barcelona confirmed on Monday the midfielder suffered an ankle sprain in the Clasico in LaLiga at the weekend.

The Dutch international is, however, expected to be fit for Euro 2024 in the summer, with Spanish media reporting he will be sidelined for around five weeks.

"Tests taken on Monday have confirmed that Frenkie de Jong has sprained his right ankle," said Barcelona in a statement, without specifying the length of his expected absence.

De Jong was taken off on a stretcher just before halftime in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over the Spanish champions at the Santiago Bernabeu, hurt after a challenge by Fede Valverde.

It is the third time De Jong, 26, has sustained an ankle injury this season and he only recently made his return from the previous problem on April 10.

The Netherlands face Canada and Iceland in tune-up friendlies on June 6 and 10 respectively before the European Championship begins on June 14.

Ronald Koeman's side are in a tough Group D alongside France, Poland and Austria.

De Jong will hope to feature in the team's first match against Barcelona teammate Robert Lewandowski's Poland on June 16.

The Clasico defeat leaves champions Barcelona 11 points behind LaLiga leaders Madrid in second place.