Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury by returning to training at Arsenal's London Colney training ground on Monday.
The Spanish international has been sidelined since the North London derby in November, but theDaily Mailreport that Bellerin was spotted training alone as he eyes a return to the Gunners first team.
It can't be stressed enough how much we miss Bellerin. Huge loss
Bellerin's absence has seenCarl Jenkinson, Gabriel and Mathieu Debuchy deputise at right-back for the Gunners.
The former pair failed to convince, while the latter was injured in last month's win 3-1 over Bournemouth and Arsene Wenger will hope to have the Spaniard available for selection as quickly as possible.
However, Bellerin's absence was not felt on Saturday evening, as Arsenal strolled to an emphatic 5-1 victory over struggling West Ham United, thanks in no small part to a dazzling display and glorious hat-trick from talisman Alexis Sanchez.
The Gunners escaped November without enduring the wobble their fans feared may undermine hopes of success inyet another season, and Wenger will hope to be able to welcome back Bellerin for the traditionally packed festive period.
Our @premierleague away record this season:
▪� Most goals scored
▪� Fewest goals conceded
▪� Unbeatenhttps://t.co/Uh8fhdFz8F
The Frenchman's frustration at losing Bellerin in last month's 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur was evident at the time, and he incurred the wrath of opposite number Mauricio Pochettino by questioning whether Danny Rose intended to injure the three-time Spain cap.
"Hector is out for four weeks," Wenger said on November 6, so Gunners fans will expect Bellerin to make his return sooner rather than later.
"He got injured in the last ten seconds against Spurs after a very strong tackle by Danny Rose. Did Rose want to injure Bellerin? I don't think so. He just went in for the tackle," the Frenchman commented, angering his Argentine counterpart.
"It's an ankle injury. It was a bad one. It is annoying to lose Bellerin," he concluded, and Wenger will hope he won't have to do without his first choice right-back for too much longer.