Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the return of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey would be like a new signing to the club.
Partey, who joined the Gunners in the last summer transfer window has made a handful of appearances due to injuries.
The 28-year-old returned from a month on the sidelines to feature in the north London derby with Tottenham on December 6, but broke down again with a recurrence of the thigh problem.
Arsenal are nursing him back to fitness, but he is now in training and could feature against Newcastle in the FA Cup on January 9.
"We are in January and I think he’s played two and a half games,” Arteta said of Partey during a press conference following the 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday. "That’s all and he was our main signing.
"We’ve been missing him. He brings something different to the team, he’s a player with an enormous talent. But as well someone that can transform the team the way we want.
"It’s great if we can have him, keep him healthy and I think he will contribute in a really positive way.
"He’s done the most part training the last few days. He’s feeling good and we will assess him.
"He needs another two or three good sessions to see if he’s 100 per cent ok to play. And if that’s the case, great news for us."