Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects Jack Wilshere to make a comeback from injury before the end of the season.
The 20-year-old has not featured for the Gunners at all in 2011-12 because of a stress fracture of his right ankle, which at one stage looked likely to rule him out for the whole campaign, including England duty at Euro 2012.
However, the outlook on his recovery has recently improved, with Wenger telling the club's official website that Wilshere could return to the team in a few weeks.
"If all goes well, he will be back with the squad in three weeks. If he has no setbacks he will play this season," he said.
"Wilshere is back with the ball and for us that is a huge step. The work we do with the ball is always quite demanding."
The Arsenal boss was also optimistic regarding the young midfielder's chances of featuring for England in Poland and Ukraine.
"That’s a decision fortunately I don't have to make," the Frenchman said.
"I will only intervene if I believe medically he is at risk.
"He is an England player and if he has played some games before the end of the season it is a possibility (for him to go to Euro 2012). If he has not played at all before the end of the season I don't think it's realistic.
"The next three weeks will decide how well he progresses. We have gone for a very cautious attitude with him. We will not force him into training with any pain. So we might have to be slower than expected. If all goes well he will be back in full training in three weeks. But that is not sure yet."
Wenger was, however, less enthusiastic about the possibility of Wilshere representing Team GB at the London Olympics.
"The Olympics destroys the start of season for us," Wenger said.
"If Wilshere could play I would rather he went to the Euros than the Olympics. It depends how well he will develop."