Arsene Wenger has claimed that Danny Welbeck could make his return from a lengthy injury for Arsenal's Under-21 side on Friday.

The striker has not featured since April last year because of a knee complaint.

However, having recently restarted training, the 25-year-old is now in line to feature against Brighton & Hove Albion's second string at the club's London Colney training base.

"Danny Welbeck is stepping up his rehabilitation," Wenger wrote in his programme notes ahead of last night's 0-0 draw with Southampton.

"We have to remember that he has not played since April 2015 and will need a game with the Under-21s, where we can monitor him and leave him free to play at his level of commitment. That looks to be very soon, maybe this week."

Welbeck joined the Gunners from Manchester United for £16m in 2014.