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Wenger’s Team News: Bellerin could return v Stoke + Cazorla update

By on December 8, 2016

Hector Bellerin arsenal

Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Stoke City and he’s given reporters a team news and injury update.

The boss confirmed some positive news as Hector Bellerin could make his return this weekend after the right-back made a swift recovery from an ankle injury that he sustained during our 1-1 draw with Tottenham a month ago.

Bellerin wasn’t expected to be available until later in December but the Spaniard returned to training this week and will now face a late fitness test to see if he’ll be available for selection against Stoke on Saturday.

It would be a huge boost if Hector is passed fit as he’s been sorely missed over the past month with Carl Jenkinson, Mathieu Debuchy and Gabriel all filling-in at right-back during his absence.

In other team news, Wenger says that we suffered no fresh injury concerns following Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Basel but Francis Coquelin will return to the squad after missing the trip to Switzerland through suspension.

The boss was also quizzed for his thoughts on Santi Cazorla after the midfielder said his Achilles surgery was ‘perfect’. Wenger admitted it went well but says it will still be at least 2 months before Cazorla will be able to play again.

Cazorla was forced to go under the knife after inflammation around his ankle refused to subside after he aggravated a long-standing Achilles injury back in mid-October but the Spaniard is now now expected back until February at the earliest.

Here is Wenger’s team news update: