Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas
has started working with a football again and expects to return to
first-team action in 'four weeks'.
Fabregas damaged medial knee ligaments last December and has
since undergone rehabilitation, with the playmaker targeting the
home meeting with Manchester City on 4th April as a "realistic"
date to make his comeback.
News of the Spaniard's impending return will come as a major
boost to the Gunners as they look to continue their charge for a
UEFA Champions League berth, with the club currently three points
behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
He told The Sun: "This week, for the first time since
Christmas, I kicked a football. I finally feel like a professional
player again.
"If everything goes to plan, I will be back in action for
Arsenal in four weeks.
"That will leave me plenty of time to make sure this season is
not a complete write-off - for me or for the club.
"Nothing is definite yet, but I've got one eye on the home game
against Manchester City on 4th April for my return.
"This time next month, Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor, Eduardo,
Tomas Rosicky, Mikael Silvestre and myself could all be available
for selection again.
"I genuinely believe I will return fitter and stronger than ever
as a result of the first long break of my professional career.
"Maybe the injury was my body's way of telling me to take a
break. It's still possible I could play another 15 games for
Arsenal this season, but that would involve going all the way in
the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
"Everyone at Arsenal has to stay strong. We all have to believe
we can still finish in the top four."