Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is reportedly optimistic about his chances of returning for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City.
The Ghana international has been forced to miss Arsenal's last two games with a thigh injury, which he sustained prior to last week's defeat to Manchester City.
Partey's absences for the clashes with Man City and Aston Villa were described as precautionary on both occasions, but he still was not involved in training on Monday.
The 29-year-old has been plagued by numerous injury problems during his time in North London, but he has largely managed to stay fit this term to play a crucial role in Arsenal's Premier League title charge.
Partey has scored long-range goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest in the top flight this term, making 18 starts and forming an effective partnership with Granit Xhaka.
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According to the Evening Standard, Partey will push to return for the trip to the King Power on Saturday afternoon, but Arsenal medical staff will not rush his recovery.
The report adds that the turnaround is still a "tight" one, but Jorginho has starred in the absence of Partey since making the move from Chelsea on deadline day.
The Italy international was a standout performer in the loss to Man City, and his late attempt against Villa crashed against the woodwork before deflecting off the head of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez into the back of the net.
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Jorginho's "tremendous" performance after the game, and the 31-year-old will make his third successive start on Saturday if Partey is given more time to recover.
"I certainly didn't see that quality of his - scoring from deep! It's great to do that. The biggest quality he has is he makes the rest of the people look better, better than what you actually are," Arteta said of Jorginho.
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"He's made a huge impact already on the boys, on the staff and hopefully our supporters can see that as well and give him the support he needs. I thought he was tremendous today."
Partey is not Arsenal's only injury concern in the middle of the park, as Mohamed Elneny is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery late in January.
The Egypt international could have played his final game for the club after going under the knife, but Arsenal announced on Tuesday that he had signed a new one-year contract until 2024.
Arsenal are still expected to spend big on a midfield recruit during the summer transfer window, with West Ham United's Declan Rice believed to be their priority target.
The Gunners can go five points clear of Man City at the top of the Premier League table with victory over Leicester before the champions kick off against Bournemouth a couple of hours later.
Ben Knapton
