Arsenal v Everton:Thierry Henry looks set to be fit to play in the FA Cup final after making a faster than expected recovery from a groin injury.
The striker is in Arsenal's squad for tonight's game at home to Everton and, though unlikely to start, may well come off the bench as part of his preparation for the Cup final on Saturday week.
Sol Campbell is also expected to make his comeback after four matches as an unused substitute, playing from the beginning, with Arsene Wenger confirming the centre-back will get "a game or two" before the meeting with Manchester United in Cardiff.
Arsenal's manager seems ready to use Campbell in the final in place of the less experienced but recently impressive Philippe Senderos. The England international has not played since the league defeat by United on February 1st.
With Freddie Ljungberg in line to return from a hip problem to play at least 45 minutes at Birmingham on Sunday, Wenger should have a full squad for the final.
He emphasised, though, that he needs to see how Henry's groin reacts to games and training. He stressed that he would need his leading scorer to be 100 per cent fit.
"I wouldn't play him (otherwise), even in the cup final," he said, wary of affecting Henry's preparations for next season. "If there was the slightest risk, I would not take it."
However, the signs are positive. "He worked hard in training, very hard," Wenger said. "I expected the season to be over for him but in the last week he improved tremendously." The manager described himself as "very surprised" by the speed of Henry's recovery - "his body is a one-off" - and said a five-match absence might prove a blessing. "He needed a break physically. I think he was a little bit tired."
Wenger dismissed suggestions that Campbell's physical condition was a concern after several injuries. "He has no deep problem apart from the fact that he doesn't play. He's doing very well in training." Looking further ahead, he said he hoped to bring in a striker this summer and hinted it might be someone with good heading ability to bring variety. He said he wanted "a young talent" and "not necessarily a big name".
He said he did not intend to replace Edu who, to his "regret", has confirmed he will leave. "I have Fabregas, Flamini, Gilberto and Vieira," he pointed out. Gilberto Silva (ankle) will miss tonight's game.
Wenger is full of admiration for Everton qualifying for the Champions League and described David Moyes as his manager of the season along with Chelsea's Jose Mourinho.
"For me what Everton have done is a miracle," he said. "After the first game of the season I thought they would go down. We played them and won 4-1. I felt sorry for them as I thought: 'My friends, you will go down'. Then they got on a run that has been incredible. Moyes deserves a lot of credit with his staff, and the players as well. Every point they have earned has been through hard work."
He pointed out that Everton had lost Wayne Rooney and then Thomas Gravesen, and added: "Moyes was the bet to be the first manager sacked in the league and then, at the end of the season, he is maybe the guy who deserves more reward than anyone else.
"It shows you can be rewarded if you keep faith in your manager. It also shows how quickly opinions about you can change."
Everton have doubts over midfielder Tim Cahill and defender Tony Hibbert. Cahill is struggling with a back problem while full-back Hibbert has a knee-ligament injury following the home win over Newcastle at the weekend.
Moyes will still take a full squad to London and both players will have late fitness tests. Captain Alan Stubbs, who made his return from a shoulder injury as a late substitute on Saturday, could start.
