The 21-year-old damaged knee ligaments back in December, and Arsenal said he would be ruled out for four months at the time.

However, Spanish doctor Ramon Cugat revealed that the midfield marvel is making remarkable progress, which could see him fit in three weeks time.

When asked about Fabregas' chances of making the Arsenal squad for the crunch last 16 tie with Roma on February 24th, doctor Cugat told the Daily Mirror: "I think so.

"The Arsenal doctors said it normally takes three-and-a-half months to recover because of the way it happened.

"But I believe he will return quicker than then. I recognize that the player needs to be ready, to have good mobility and stability and that he needs to feel good after returning to training.

"The one that will know best is the player. I saw him last week.

"He passed the tests, there had been a clear improvement and he was expecting to make a speedy recovery."

Fabregas is experiencing a lengthy layoff for the first time in his career so far, having been an instrumental figure for Arsene Wenger's team in recent years.

Should the former Barcelona youngster fail to make the first leg against Roma, he could catch the return leg on March 11th at Olimpico.