Lauren sidelined until September
Lauren faces a fight to win his first-team place back
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Monday, 14, Aug 2006 09:32
Arsenal right-back Lauren has admitted he will not be back in action for the Gunners until at least the end of September.
The Cameroon international has not played since January after having surgery to correct a knee problem.
The recovery has been a long time in coming for the 29-year-old but some light has now appeared at the end of the tunnel.
"So far everything I have done is going well, the knee is responding well," Lauren told the London Evening Standard.
"At the moment it is probably one and a half or two months maximum until I can play again."
Lauren will face a fight to regain his place in the team after the impressive form of Emmanuel Eboue since his enforced absence.
Another man who has been impressing his Arsenal teammates is Alexander Hleb.
The Belarus international took time to adjust to the English game since his £8million move from Stuttgart but showed glimpses of his potential in last season's run to the Champions League final.
Now Brazilian midfielder Gilberto has predicted the winger will play a big role in Arsenal's new campaign.
"Sometimes when you have a problem, especially when you have just come to the country and you need to adapt to a new system and a new team, you need time," Gilberto told Arsenal's official website.
"But now he has adapted and this could be a big season for him."
Arsenal begin the new Premiership season at their new ground against Aston Villa on Saturday.