Eduardo returns to Gunners action

EDUARDO gave Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Gunners fans a boost last night as he made his much-anticipated comeback for the reserve side, 298 days after breaking his leg.

The Croatian striker was out for more than 10 months — missing his adopted country’s Euro 2008 title bid — after a horror tackle by Birmingham’s Martin Taylor left him with a dislocated left ankle and broken fibula.

More than 1,000 fans turned out to watch the Brazilian-born striker come through 45 minutes against Portsmouth’s reserves at Barnet’s Underhill Stadium.

Although replaced after the break as a precaution, Eduardo appeared to have come through his run out unscathed and can now look forward to continuing his recovery in the new year.

Indeed, boss Arsene Wenger will be keen for the striker to return to full action and give his ailing side the boost they need.

Meanwhile, defender Gavin Hoyte has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The 18-year-old England youth international has progressed to the fringes of the first team, enjoying a run in the Carling Cup and also making his Premier League debut when he started at Manchester City last month.

Hoyte — whose elder brother Justin left the Gunners to join Middlesbrough in August — has been at Arsenal since he was nine and turned professional in September 2007.