Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed that midfielder Thomas Partey could return from a groin injury in time to face Lens in Tuesday's Champions League clash.
The Ghana international has returned to full training one month on from sustaining the problem, news of which broke not long before Arsenal's showdown with Manchester United on September 3.
Partey's training injury was announced by the Ghana FA before Arsenal confirmed the diagnosis, and he has since sat out each of Arsenal's last six games in all tournaments.
The former Atletico Madrid man was initially expected to return to the fold at some point in late October, but he has made great strides in his recovery and resumed full training on Monday morning.
Speaking to football.london ahead of his side's trip to France - which was delayed due to inclement weather in London - Arteta confirmed that Partey could potentially make his comeback at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis if the situation is appropriate.
"He's progressed really well in the last two weeks and he managed to train in the last two or three days with the team and that's great news for us obviously," the Spaniard said.
"I think his progression in the last week has been very good. He might have some exposure tomorrow depending on how the game goes. He's a big player and we know what he brings to the team.
"He knows exactly what we need and with the injuries we had to other players in midfield and at the back he complements us in a great way and gives us options. So it's great to have him back again."
Despite the arrival of Declan Rice in a £105m deal over the summer, Partey remained a regular fixture in Arteta's XI at the start of the season, even filling in as an inverted right-back on a couple of occasions.
The 30-year-old has been plagued by several fitness issues since arriving at the Emirates, but he has now made over 100 appearances for the Gunners, scoring five goals and setting up four more in that time.
Partey's return to team training was one of three fitness boosts for Arteta ahead of Tuesday's clash, as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus also came through the session with no concerns following knocks in their side's 4-0 win at Bournemouth.
Saka was passed fit for the contest after limping off against Tottenham Hotspur and scored his side's opener, but he was in the wars again and gingerly trudged off towards the end at the Vitality Stadium.
However, Arteta has allayed fears of a serious issue to the Englishman, adding: "He's fine. He's much better. It was a big knock but he has recovered well and trained with us today."
With Leandro Trossard also overcoming a muscular problem, Arsenal should only be without Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber for Tuesday's game due to their hamstring and ACL injuries respectively.
Arsenal started Group B with a 4-0 thumping of PSV Eindhoven two weeks ago, while Lens salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw away to Europa League holders Sevilla. body check tags ::
