Quenda returns in time to face Arsenal

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Sporting winger Geovany Quenda is back and ready to face Premier League opposition again, starting with Arsenal.

The 18-year-old missed Sporting's 1-0 first-leg defeat as he completed the final stage of his recovery from a foot injury. Sporting's number seven returned from the bench in Saturday's win over Estrela Amadora and will again be available for Wednesday's tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Quenda's return begins a run of at least eight matches before he joins Chelsea in the summer. Those fixtures continue with Arsenal and include league meetings with Benfica and a domestic cup clash against Porto, with Sporting still competing on three fronts.

The winger spent an extended period training in London at Chelsea's facilities, a programme that began before Christmas. He returned briefly to Portugal for the holiday period before heading back to Cobham to continue working with Chelsea's medical staff.

During that time, Quenda met team-mates and incoming head coach Liam Rosenior, although he largely followed an individual training programme and had limited contact with the rest of the squad.

The three-month stay in London allowed him to put into practice the English he had been learning in Lisbon, secure accommodation for next season and gain muscle mass in preparation for the physical demands of the Premier League.

Quenda, who is uncapped at international level, had hoped to be selected for Portugal's World Cup squad, but his extended injury absence has made that unlikely.

Sources close to the player say he is willing to play wherever required next season, is keen to earn a place in Rosenior's squad and ultimately aims to establish himself as a full international and win trophies at Chelsea.

For now, Quenda is focused on ending his Sporting career on a high. A potential upset against Arsenal, amid their late-season wobble, would be an ideal place to start.