Jeffers on course

Arsenal hope to see Francis Jeffers back in action soon

Arsene Wenger has denied speculation that £8m striker Francis Jeffers needs ankle surgery that will put an end to his season.

Jeffers is back in training with the Gunners, but there is still concern at Highbury over the ankle injury that has dogged the 20-year-old's career.

And questions are even being raised as to how Jeffers managed to pass the extensive medical examination before his move from Everton during the summer.

Jeffers missed six months of last season with the Toffees with the ankle problem.

And he has started just two games for Arsenal, being substituted in both of them.

He is much better now. He's back in training

Arsene Wenger

He has not appeared in an Arsenal shirt since limping off in the 2-0 win at Derby in September.

But Jeffers gave Arsenal a tantalising glimpse of what they are missing when he scored a hat-trick against Albania in one of two England Under-21 appearances he has made this season.

Wenger insisted, though, that Jeffers is on course for a return to first-team action.

The Arsenal manager said: "He is much better now. He's back in training again."

Jeffers added confirmation to that when he said: "The ankle has improved a lot and I hope to be playing again in a few weeks."

Arsene Wenger can keep an eye on Jeffers in training

Jeffers will cost Arsenal an extra £2m when he has made 50 first-team appearances.

Wenger recieved another boost when Martin Keown made a successful comeback from a rib injury in the Worthington Cup success against First Division Grimsby.

Skipper Tony Adams and full-back Lee Dixon are also back in training after operations and could be playing again before Christmas.