Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse could be back on the training field next week just days after being ruled out for three months.
Magpies' head coach Steve McClaren feared he had suffered a major blow last week when he revealed that the Senegal international could be facing surgery on a groin problem and a lengthy lay-off just when he needed it least with the club in the throes of a desperate fight against relegation from the Barclays Premier League.
However, after taking a third opinion on the injury, which struck during the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on December 19, Cisse is back running and could resume training with the rest of the squad imminently.
McClaren said: "Papiss has been out on the field running and as long as he keeps running, he could be back training next week.
"On medical advice, we are letting him rehabilitate and he is progressing very quickly in that rehab. There may come a point where he breaks down or he comes right the way through and he is fit. It is that kind of injury.
"He is progressing well and he is on course to join us midweek. Hopefully we will see him soon."
That would come as a boost for a club which currently has just one fit striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has only three goals to his name this season, and has been linked with a series of potential January targets including Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette, Wolfsburg's Bas Dost and long-term target Charlie Austin of QPR.
McClaren was giving nothing away about the club's transfer business, saying only: "I haven't got a clue. Nothing has happened. When it does happen you will be the next ones to know.
"We can't disclose that, that's private. If anything does happen - you can name all the names you would like - but it's private. We will do our business and do it privately."
In the short term, McClaren will focus on the task of addressing a dreadful recent FA Cup record which has seen the club exit at the third round stage in four of the last five seasons when they travel to Watford on Saturdat.
Jack Colback is a doubt with a hamstring problem, but fellow midfielder Rolando Aarons and striker Emmanuel Riviere could return to the squad after lengthy injury lay-offs.
Source: PA
