Patricio Pacífico gets medical clearance and returns to the grass

Patricio Pacífico (20), the Uruguayan defender on loan from Barcelona at Defensor, has been discharged from the medical centre after his serious knee injury and has already started working on the grass. According to Mundo Deportivo, he is doing strength work on the sand pitches at Ciutat Esportiva, an important step mentally, and he can now see his teammates up close.

Next comes jogging and, later, changes of direction and intensity. Then the ball work follows: he could touch it again by the end of the year and gradually join the group between January and February, depending on how he progresses.

As for his contract, the club extended the loan for one more season. The purchase option becomes obligatory after ten matches; before the injury he had played seven, so if he adds three matches after returning, Barcelona will keep him permanently.