Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas
has set the home meeting with Manchester City on 4th April as a
'realistic' date to make his comeback from
injury.
The Spain midfielder suffered knee ligament damage after a
challenge with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso in the Premier League match
at Emirates Stadium shortly before Christmas.
Fabregas has since returned to England after undergoing a
rehabilitation programme in Barcelona and the 21-year-old is now
putting the finishing touches on his recovery.
And, writing in his matchday programme notes before Saturday's
0-0 draw with Sunderland, the Gunners star has revealed he expects
to be back in action in 'five or six weeks'.
"The doctors have told me that in the next 10 days or so I can
start touching the ball again," he said.
"The most important thing is working on my legs to build them
up, which will take another three weeks or so. Hopefully, in five
or six weeks I will be back playing.
"I am looking at the Manchester City game on 4th April as a
realistic comeback date."
Fabregas, though, maintains he will not rush back into action
unless he is completely match fit.
"The problem with this injury is that it is on my right knee and
on the inside of the knee, and of course my game is a lot about
passing," he added.
"I touch the ball 120 times per game, so all of the time I am
using that leg.
"I have to make sure it is 100 per cent cured before I come
back."