Sol Campbell is set to make his first Arsenal appearance in two-and-a-half months at Portsmouth tomorrow - with manager Arsene Wenger predicting the England centre-back still has a big part to play for club and country this season.
The 31-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since his half-time departure in the home defeat by West Ham - when the normally reliable defender was substituted after the last in a series of sub-standard displays.
Injury problems, the latest of which was a bruised toe, have since prevented Campbell making a comeback after the player was granted an extended leave of absence by Wenger.
Campbell was not included in the squad for the trip to Manchester United on Sunday, Wenger keen for the defender to get more training under his belt rather than just travel and sit on the bench .
Now, however, the Arsenal boss feels the experienced England man is more than ready to make his long-awaited return - and he will start at the heart of the Arsenal back-line in place of Philippe Senderos, rested as the squad embark on a hectic run-in.
The Arsenal manager said: "Sol will start tomorrow because I will rest Senderos, who finished tired against Manchester United - so it gives him a good opportunity to show that he is ready for us and as well for England.
"We have eight games now on the trot - game after game - and I will have to rotate in every game now without destroying the balance of the team and the belief of the team."
Wenger hopes he has found the ideal opportunity for Campbell to return. "It is a good way for Sol to come back," he said.
"I play him because I feel he is ready for us; but on the other hand, indirectly, he knows he needs to play before the World Cup if he wants to be selected."
