Dembele steps up recovery as El Clasico nears

Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele may yet make it back for the El Clasico.

The France international, 20, has been sidelined since September due to a torn hamstring.

It was expected Dembele would miss three to four months, likely ruling him out until 2018.

But the specialist who operated on the forward recently said Dembele could return for Barca for the Clasico against rivals Real Madrid on December 23.

Judging by the training put in by the former Borussia Dortmund star, he may be on track to face Madrid.

Dembele has made just three appearances in all competitions for Barca since his €105million move from Dortmund in August.

Without him, Ernesto Valverde's men have opened up a four-point lead atop La Liga, and sit eight points ahead of Madrid.