Eddie Nketiah won’t be available for Arsenal against Leeds United, but he’s back training on grass and closing in on a return to full training.

James Green of Sky Sports reports that Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah is back training on grass and building his fitness after his sprained ankle injury.

The Gunners are hoping the striker will return to full training very soon.

They’ll be glad to have Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus back available in the meantime. It wasn’t so long ago that all three were sidelined with injuries.

Nketiah last featured for Arsenal on March 1st, providing an assist for Mikel Arteta’s side against Everton.

The 23-year-old then missed both legs of the Europa League clash with Sporting CP, as well as league matches against Bournemouth, Fulham, and Crystal Palace.

Even after the international break, it looks like his absence is set to continue.

In addition to missing some key Arsenal games, it will also be disappointing for Nketiah not to have been available for England duty.

The striker is still waiting for his first England call-up, but Gareth Southgate recently suggested he’s in contention for a place.

When responding to questions about Folarin Balogun’s chances of first senior international call-up, Southgate said:

“We like Flo. He has obviously not had an opportunity in the Premier League yet, so we have to weigh up those goals to Ivan [Toney], for example, or Ollie Watkins.

“Or Eddie Nketiah, who has done really well with the opportunity he has had at Arsenal.”

Despite his limited minutes, Nketiah’s nine goals in all competitions only put him behind Gabriel Martinelli (13), Bukayo Saka (13), and Martin Odegaard (10) this season.