Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has reportedly returned to training with the Chile national side ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Uruguay, despite boss Arsene Wenger warning that the decision would be 'suicidal'.
The former Barcelona forward picked up a low grade thigh muscle injury during training with his country earlier in the week during international break, with Gunners boss insisting that the player should be rested and return to north London in order to avoid aggravating the strain.
However, according to theDaily Mail, Sanchez has been deemed fit enough to return to the match day squad for their crucial game against their group rivals, taking part in normal training with his teammates in Santiago having shrugged off the knock.
Despite fans being encouraged by the sights of Sanchez returning to full fitness, Wenger will be impatiently waiting to see if he survives the clash against Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani and co. after suggesting that another strain in the same area could see the player miss up to three months of domestic football.
Mesut Ozil will sign a new Arsenal contract but Alexis Sanchez's deal is in doubt, say the Sunday Supplement panel: https://t.co/Xcz4pmSEjz pic.twitter.com/OqV1qKsYc9
Wenger's concerns cannot be argued against, with the Gunners approaching a crucial part of the season, and perhaps their title charge, with a trip to Old Trafford to take on Jose Mourinho's Manchester United soon to be followed by a visit of Paris Saint-Germain to determine who tops group A in the Champions League.
And should Sanchez suffer further injury woe against the advice of his club manager, Arsenal will be missing a key player in their squad who has started the season very brightly, scoring six goals in 11 Premier League games, as well as creating 24 chances.