Injured Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says he expects to return to first-team action at the beginning of April.
Fabregas, 22, ruptured knee ligaments in the Premier League draw against Liverpool on 21 December, and was subsequently ruled out for four months.
"I have been working hard on the training ground," the midfielder said.
"Hopefully in five or six weeks I will be back playing. I am looking at the Manchester City game [on 4 April] as a realistic comeback date."
The Spain international was injured in a tackle with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso during the game at Emirates Stadium.
Fabregas has now returned to the Gunners' London Colney training ground from Barcelona ahead of his anticipated return to full fitness.
"It's been great to be back at the club," Fabregas added, in the matchday programme notes for the game against Sunderland.
And his return to light training will be a major boost for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners welcomed Eduardo back to action this week after a year-long absence with a broken leg, however, the Croatian will miss a further two weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over Cardiff.
Wenger has also had to endure long spells this season without the services of key midfielder Tomas Rosicky, and England international Theo Walcott but Abou Diaby is nearing a comeback.
Fabregas, 22, ruptured knee ligaments in the Premier League draw against Liverpool on 21 December, and was subsequently ruled out for four months.
"I have been working hard on the training ground," the midfielder said.
"Hopefully in five or six weeks I will be back playing. I am looking at the Manchester City game [on 4 April] as a realistic comeback date."
The Spain international was injured in a tackle with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso during the game at Emirates Stadium.
Fabregas has now returned to the Gunners' London Colney training ground from Barcelona ahead of his anticipated return to full fitness.
"It's been great to be back at the club," Fabregas added, in the matchday programme notes for the game against Sunderland.
And his return to light training will be a major boost for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners welcomed Eduardo back to action this week after a year-long absence with a broken leg, however, the Croatian will miss a further two weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over Cardiff.
Wenger has also had to endure long spells this season without the services of key midfielder Tomas Rosicky, and England international Theo Walcott but Abou Diaby is nearing a comeback.
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