Joe Allen will give Wales a major boost when he returns to action for Stoke City’s Under-23s on Monday.
The 30-year-old midfielder has not played since rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Potters 5-1 hammering of Hull City on March 7.
Allen will feature in the Premier League 2 fixture against West Bromwich Albion at Clayton Wood.
But manager Michael O’Neill insists Allen will not be rushed back to first-team action for the Championship outfit.
“Joe will play for the 23s on Monday – he’ll get some minutes and hopefully that will be the final part of his build-up.
“We’ve got to give him time. We’re not going to throw him straight back in and see the Joe Allen that we know, although we don’t think that’s far away.”
Allen’s last appearance for Wales came 13 months ago in the 2-0 victory over Hungary.
