Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla hopes to be able to play again before the end of the season.
The 33-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since October 2016 because of an Achilles problem which needed several surgeries, including a skin graft from his arm.
Cazorla does not yet know whether he will be at Arsenal next season as the north London club prepare for a first campaign without Arsene Wenger at the helm in 22 years.
"I've still got some way to go, because after being sidelined for 18 months, everything has to be done in its own time. But the sensations I have keep getting better and I'm feeling optimistic about the future," said Cazorla, quoted by Spanish media outlet AS.
"The objective is to play some part with the team before the season ends, but we have to take things carefully."