Henry set for early return

Thierry Henry is set to make such a rapid recovery from his calf injury that he could play for France next week.

It had been feared that striker Henry would not play again until early April, but France boss Raymond Domenech has named the 27-year-old in his squad to face Switzerland on Wednesday and Israel on Saturday week.

Henry sustained his injury in the second leg of Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, which the Gunners lost 3-2 on aggregate.

While he will not be fit enough to be involved at Blackburn tomorrow, the news of Henry’s good progress will be welcomed at Highbury.

After a lengthy discussion with Henry, Domenech is confident that the striker will be fit enough to play in at least one of the games.

Domenech said: “I had a phone call with him and he is optimistic. He will go for treatment at Clairefontaine [France’s training base] from Tuesday, and we will prepare him for the two matches.

“We have 10 days before France versus Switzerland and a fortnight before Israel versus France. There are a lot of options in attack, but the first one remains Henry.”

While Henry continues to work his way back to full fitness, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been stressing to his players the importance of finishing the season in second place.

The champions are currently 13 points behind leaders Chelsea and, with nine games to go, the task of catching Jose Mourinho’s men looks beyond both them and second-placed Manchester United.

United’s deficit is two points fewer than Arsenal’s but still regarded as too far for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to bridge within the time remaining.

Wenger wants his side to finish runners-up to Chelsea and that means overhauling United on the run-in.

Wenger said: “It is about prestige but, above that, it is to avoid the qualification game in the Champions League. At that time the players have just come back from holiday and you don’t really know where you stand. You can have very tricky draws in this round so for us, it is vital to finish second.”

The Gunners have been linked with two potential summer transfer targets.

Arsenal are among a trio of Barclays Premiership sides reportedly eyeing Verona’s star youngster Valon Behrami.

The Gunners have also been suggested as potential suitors for Stuttgart midfielder Alexander Hleb.

Hleb’s agent, Niki Spilevski, believes Arsenal are keen to take him to London.

“Arsenal have made an enquiry,” says Spilevski. “He has a top contract but who knows what will happen with regards to Arsenal?”

Hleb, 23, is contracted to Stuttgart until 2008.

Behrami, 19, is regarded as one of the most exciting talents outside of the top-flight in Italy this season and has been linked with a move to Juventus.