When will Juan Bernat and Kimpembe play again for PSG?

PSG are missing many players after the World Cup break because of different reasons. Two of their best defenders, left-back Juan Bernat and center-back Presnel Kimpembe have yet to play after the break. When are they expected back?

After returning from Qatar, players making the international squads present at the winter World Cup slowly but surely returned to Paris. That was the case for the likes of Marquinhos, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, just to name a few.

Some other players were never called up for the tournament, but they have remained out because of injuries and other ailments. It's the case of both Spain and France internationals Juan Bernat and Presnel Kimpembe respectively.

Juan Bernat last played a game with PSG all the way back on Nov. 6 when Paris Saint-Germain faced Lorient away from home in a 2-1 victory.

Bernat logged only 15 minutes coming off the bench after having started seven consecutive games before that one, including four Champions League matches.

Bernat should be available for the French Cup game next Friday; Presnel Kimpembe is still recovering from an Achilles injury

After the break, Bernat has not played again for PSG. He seemed poised to appear on the first game back against Strasbourg but he picked up an injury and couldn't make it to the pitch on that match, one PSG won 2-1 in the last minute of play.

Bernat couldn't return in time for the horrid game against second-place Lens last Sunday either, although he posted a story on Instagram in which he appeared to be training with the group. He failed to play once more, forcing PSG into using Achraf Hakimi as their left-back.

Juan Bernat is expected to be back training this week and make a recovery in time to play Friday's French Cup game with PSG. The matchup against a lesser opponent should help him get eased into the rhythm of play ahead of the upcoming Ligue 1 matches and the return of the Champions League in February/March.

For his part, Presnel Kimpembe might still be left out of the PSG squad until the end of January while he still nurtures his Achilles injury. Kimpembe was on the initial list of the France World Cup squad but he ultimately had to withdraw from the competition.

According to RMC, Kimpembe is evolving positively and is on pace to return by the end of January, precisely on Jan. 28 when PSG will host Stade de Reims (Ligue 1, MD20), reports Fabrice Hawkins.

Kimpembe appeared in a game with PSG for the last time on Nov. 13 when he played 16 minutes off the bench against Auxerre in a 5-0 PSG victory at the Parc des Princes.