Arsenal’s Eduardo has been out of action since 23 February 2008 when he suffered a broken left fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle in a Premier League game against Birmingham City.
Now the Brazilian-born Croatia international could be in line to make his first-team return for the Gunners on Monday evening when they host Championship club Cardiff City in the FA Cup fourth round replay.
The 25-year-old striker is being backed by head coach of the Croatia national side, former Everton and West Ham United centre-back Slaven Bilic.
The 40-year-old gave Eduardo a run-out in Croatia’s recent 2-1 victory over Romania, and insists he is more than ready to return to action for Arsenal.
“Arsene Wenger asked me to contact him straight after the match and I told him he could use Eduardo without any problems,” Bilic is quoted as saying in The Daily Mail.
The Sun quote him as adding, “He didn’t hold back, he is ready.”
