Jack Wilshere could be back in the Arsenal squad ahead of their Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Wilshere has been sidelined since November after sustaining an ankle injury in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United that required surgery.
The England midfielder recently returned to full training with the first team and is set to be in contention to face Palace at Selhurst Park this weekend.
"I cannot tell you whether Wilshere will start," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said at his prematch news conference. "I've not picked the team definitely. It's difficult to come back immediately.
TEAM NEWS: @HectorBellerin will have a test today. @JackWilshere could be back in the squad #CPFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/5AWKGFR2FE
- Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 20, 2015
"Jack is a bit ahead of schedule and has worked hard with no big problems, so it's good to have him back.
"It is always difficult to come back straightaway. What is good is that [he is] already back [earlier than expected].
"That injury was on the left ankle. He had all his problems on the right ankle. It is a straightforward injury -- once it's healed, there's no problem.''
Right-back Hector Bellerin should also be available, although the game comes too soon for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey.
Wenger added: "Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in full training but is a bit short to be considered. Ramsey is 10 days away."
Wilshere has joined in full training again for a couple of weeks and Wenger had considered him ahead of the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough last Sunday.
Later on Friday, the England midfielder posted a smiling photo of him on Instagram:
Think it's fair to say I'm happy to be back 😬❤️⚽️
A photo posted by Jack Wilshere (@jackwilshere) on