Van Persie to return earlier than expected

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk claims Robin van Persie could be back in action at the start of April after receiving a positive update on the Arsenal forward’s recovery from an ankle injury.

Van Persie’s club believe the 26-year-old will be back at the end of April, rather than the start of that month, and only if everything in his rehabilitation goes to plan following ligament damage suffered in November.