Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker is back in full training as he steps up his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
Mertesacker has yet to feature for the Gunners this season after needing surgery as the result of the injury he suffered in a preseason game in France.
But the German, given the club captaincy despite the injury, posted a photo on Twitter on Tuesday that showed him taking part in a training session ahead of the game at Everton on Wednesday.
"It's been a long road but feels so amazing to be back training properly with the @Arsenal boys again and I feel great!" Mertesacker wrote.
It's been a long road but feels so amazing to be back training properly with the @Arsenal boys again and I feel great! #AVeryHappyBFG ��������⚽️ pic.twitter.com/8Z81gIST5B
- Per Mertesacker (@mertesacker) December 13, 2016
However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said Mertesacker will need a couple more weeks to return to full match fitness, meaning he may not play for the first team before next year.
Arsenal are without Shkodran Mustafi after he strained his hamstring against Stoke on Saturday, an injury expected to sideline him for around three weeks.
Mustafi has formed an impressive centre-back partnership with Laurent Koscielny after his £35 million move from Valencia in August -- meaning Mertesacker will face a battle for playing time when fully fit.