Hleb set for European return

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb is set to make his long-awaited return from injury in next week’s Champions League tie against Ajax.

Hleb has been sidelined with a knee injury for almost two months, last playing for the Gunners against Birmingham on October 2.

However, he is set to be included in the squad for next Wednesday’s final Champions League group game against Ajax, a game which has no real meaning as Arsenal have already sealed top qualifying spot.

It is therefore the ideal chance for Hleb to regain match-sharpness ahead of the key Barclays Premiership clashes against Newcastle and Chelsea later this month.

Wenger revealed: “He is not completely available but he is back training with the squad. I think he will play against Ajax. If we were in a real crisis, he could [even] travel with us to Bolton this weekend.”

Hleb sustained the injury on international duty with Belarus in October, with Wenger having previously admitted his concern at the decision to field the midfielder against Scotland.

“I was very unhappy when Belarus tried to play Alexander Hleb when he had a cartilage problem that had shown up on a scan, it could have been career-threatening,” he insisted recently.

Otherwise, Arsenal are still without Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy as they look to keep up some pressure on Chelsea ahead of their clash with Jose Mourinho’s side at Highbury on December 17.

Midfielder Alex Song is also still troubled by a knee injury, which ruled him out of the Carling Cup tie against Reading in midweek.

“Alex Song is getting better. He has a good chance of being available for Ajax but I don’t think I will take a chance with him on Saturday at Bolton,” Wenger told the club’s website, www.arsenal.com.

Robin van Persie and Jose Antonio Reyes both started that game, scoring a goal each before being removed midway through the second half to keep them fresh.

Wenger must therefore now decide whether to retain them in the side at Bolton or to bring back Dennis Bergkamp or Freddie Ljungberg.

Teenage winger Quincy Owusu-Abeyie is also hoping to break into the first-team after impressing against Reading, although he realises he may have to bide his time.

He is nevertheless determined to use the example of Dutch compatriot van Persie, who has scored eight times in his past eight games for the club, as an inspiration.

Owusu-Abeyie said: “I always talk to Robin and he gives me advice. He’s a good role model for me.

“You just have to be patient and the manager will give you a chance.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the first team but I just have to concentrate on playing well in the Carling Cup and then hopefully my chance will come in the Premiership.”