Campbell under doctors' orders

Doctors will have the final say on whether Sol Campbell’s comeback is halted after just one match following confirmation the centre-back has broken his nose.

The England defender made his first appearance for two and a half months in the 1-1 draw at Portsmouth last night but having picked up a head wound at the start of the second half a clash with substitute Svetoslav Todorov left him with a bloodied nose.

Scans confirmed the break and specialists will now decide whether the 31-year-old has surgery immediately – ruling him out for between one and three weeks – or whether he plays on until the end of the season before going in for an operation.

“He has no breathing problems but the surgeon has to decide whether he has surgery now or whether we should wait until the end of the season,” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

“If he needs surgery now it is at least a week out. It is three weeks without any risk but I feel he could play after one week.”

Wenger had indicated he was likely to rotate his squad, particularly in defence for the end of season run-in – and the Arsenal boss may now find his hand forced by the latest unfortunate injury to Campbell.

“We do not have any other major problems from last night,” said Wenger, who is likely to recall midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Gilberto to the starting line-up this weekend.

“I rested a few players, so we will see who can come back.”

With Arsenal four points behind Tottenham, having played the same number of matches, the significance of the final north London derby at Highbury a week on Saturday has extra significance in the race for the final Champions League place.

However, the Gunners know if they were to win Europe’s elite club competition - they face Villarreal in the semi-final – they would pip Spurs for the final qualification spot.

On the domestic front, a defiant Wenger believes there is still plenty left to play for, something young defender Johan Djourou is in agreement with.

The 19-year-old Swiss youth international was drafted into the starting line-up for last night’s disappointing 1-1 draw at Portsmouth and he maintains there is a determination to put that result to bed with a strong performance this weekend.

“We are all together and we will all give our best to get that fourth spot,” he said.

“We have to forget this Portsmouth game as quickly as possible and just focus for the next one.

“We feel we dserved to win the game – but we have to get on with it and be ready for the next one.”

England full-back Ashley Cole, meanwhile, is scheduled to join up with the rest of the squad for full training on Monday.

However, the 25-year-old is not expected to feature against Villarreal next week, having only just recovered from an ankle problem – the latest injury to hamper his campaign.