Ousmane Dembele has returned to training at Barcelona.

The young striker was expected to be out for four months with a thigh injury suffered in September, but is now back in training at La Masia.

El Mundo Deportivo says, however, that coach Ernesto Valverde is cautious and doesn't wish to rush the Frenchman's return.

Instead, Valverde is willing to wait until after the winter recess before re-introducing Dembele to first team action. The December 23 showdown with Real Madrid will come too soon for the striker.

Instead, the January 4 Copa del Rey tie with Celta Vigo is slated for Dembele's comeback.