Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has returned to training and is pushing hard to return to action before the end of the season.
The Spaniard broke a bone in his right foot against Manchester United in January and had to undergo surgery.
Merino was spotted at Arsenal’s training ground last month and was no longer wearing a protective boot or walking with crutches.
While many people had ruled him out of action for the remainder of the season, the 29-year-old could return to action before the Champions League final on May 30.
The Gunners take on West Ham United on Sunday before facing Burnley and Crystal Palace in their final two Premier League games of the campaign.
The Hammers’ or Burnley game could come too early for Merino, but he could be available against Palace in a huge boost for Arsenal.
The Gunners have done pretty decently in his absence, remaining in the Premier League title race and reaching the final of the elite European competition.
However, the story may have been different had he played in the League Cup final against Manchester City and in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton.
Merino has played as a striker at times this term following his success in the position last term, and his versatility could come in handy against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
