Kolo Toure could return within a fortnight according to Wenger. The centre-back was expected to be out for around 3-4 weeks with a calf injury sustained in last night’s Champions League draw with Milan. However, medical staff at the club have now examined the injury and it is thought that the damage is not as serious as initial assessements indicated.

Toure could now make a return for the second leg with Milan on March 4. That would see him miss just two Premiership fixtures – against Birmingham this weekend and Villa a week later. This update will be of interest to owners of Senderos who is almost certain to benefit from any absence for Toure.