Eduardo today on the pitch

Croatian striker, Eduardo da Silva set for comeback. He will be given one hour in todays reserves match Arsenal - Portsmouth.

The Arsenal reserves have yet to name their starting XI for this evening's clash against their Portsmouth counterparts at Underhill, but striker Eduardo da Silva is set to be involved.

The Croatian hitman suffered an injury in the early moments of the Gunners' trip to Birmingham City on February 23, breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle as he was tackled late.

Khalid Baloch, the surgeon who saved Eduardo's career, has admitted that his patient's comeback is something of a miracle. He explained: "When I saw Eduardo after surgery, I predicted it would take him about 12 months before he could even think about training.

"An average person, however, would take up to two years to readjust and get back.

"Thus, to get back to training in nine months is pretty amazing."

The 25-year-old is expected to play for an hour against the Pompey second-string. Even if he comes through the test with flying colours, however, boss Arsene Wenger has warned that it could take up to six further weeks before he's anywhere near peak fitness.

The game, which kicks off at 1900 GMT, could be a landmark moment in Arsenal's season, for it could finally herald the return of a gifted player at a time when under-pressure Arsenal need some positives.

Asked if he has any fears for Brazilian-born Eduardo's mental state ahead of his return, Baloch added: "I think there is always a possibility of being mentally scarred, but I haven't come across any patients who have suffered psychologically from this type of injury."