Danny Welbeck: Arsene Wenger confirms Arsenal striker comeback has been delayed

England international now not expected to return until February

(2015 Getty Images)

Danny Welbeck's return from injury has been delayed, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The England international has been out since April after undergoing knee surgery.

He was originally scheduled to return as early as September, before that date was revised to Christmas. Yet with the tinsel and fairy lights up, Welbeck's return has still not materialised and Wenger has now said the 25-year-old is expected to be back in action in February.

"He is still not available because of a bone bruising," Wenger said. "That deteriorated and it is a big blow to us because we cannot rotate."

A frustration for Arsenal, the news will also be a concern for England manager Roy Hodgson ahead of next summer's European Championships.

Arsenal have been beset by injury problems recently, with the most notable from an attacking sense seeing Alexis Sanchez miss the last three games with a hamstring injury. However, the Chilean could be fit for Monday night's meeting with title rivals Manchester City.