Arsene Wenger is keeping his fingers crossed Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will be back in action sooner rather than later.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined since October 16 with a niggling ankle problem after failing to fully recover from the effects of a crunching challenge by Bolton defender Paul Robinson the previous month.
Wenger had feared the France international would be set for an extended spell on the sidelines but the prognosis is now perhaps more positive, and Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "Diaby is having a gradual test. He had the first on Wednesday - that was positive. He has another on Thursday, so we will see what comes out of it. At the moment the response is good."
Arsenal got their Barclays Premier League campaign back on track with a hard-earned 2-0 win at Wolves in midweek.
Wenger revealed there were no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday's trip to Everton, where England full-back Kieran Gibbs could be involved after a knee problem.
"We should not have any bad news from Wednesday night. The squad should be the same," he continued.
"We could have Gibbs available to be part of it again too. We will make the decision at the end of the week.
"He is back in normal training. It is just whether he is fit or not."
Source: PA
