Mark Hughes has said that Oussama Assaidi could feature for Stoke City for the first time in a month this weekend.
The winger, who is on loan from Liverpool, injured his knee during the Potters' warm-weather training camp in Dubai last month.
The manager told the club's website: "We are hopeful of having Ozzie Assaidi back for the game, which would be a big boost for us.
"He has trained this week and is progressing, but is still feeling a little bit of discomfort in his knee which we would expect to be perfectly honest.
"We will take another look at him in training tomorrow, but all being well he will be available to us."
Stoke face Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League on Sunday.