Arsene Wenger says skipper Cesc Fabregas is ""unlikely"" to return from injury for Arsenal when they take on Birmingham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The international break has been a blessing for Arsenal's lengthy injury list with Nicklas Bendter, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs all recovering in time for Saturday's clash. Right back Bacary Sagna, however, injured his thigh while away with France and is unavailable for around ten days.
Wenger said Fabregas was ""very, very short and unlikely to be involved"" at the Emirates on Saturday. Wenger said his skipper has ""a little chance"" to be ready for Tuesday's Champions League home fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk.
In other injury news, defender Thomas Vermaelen is ten days away from full fitness, goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is nearing a return and striker Robin van Persie is still weeks away.
Wenger is optimistic Arsenal fans will soon see the best of Bendtner, who is in line to make his first appearance of the season against Birmingham after recovering from a groin problem which he aggravated at the World Cup.
Bendtner - who had a productive loan spell with the Blues during their promotion campaign of 2006-07 - believes he is ""probably in the best physical shape ever'' as he prepares to bolster the Gunners' attacking options. Wenger accepts 6ft 4in Bendtner has only shown his potential on a handful of occasions and is confident the Dane - who is believed to have suffered the initial problem during a car crash in September 2009 - can find some consistency with an injury-free run.
""Let's not forget that since last November Nicklas has produced here and there, but never had a consistent presence because of his injuries,'' the Arsenal manager said. ""Apart from the fact he went to the World Cup we have not seen the real Nicklas Bendtner for a long, long time. He is the closest he has been to his best for a while. He was really, really handicapped by groin problems, but they have gone now.''
Walcott - who had been in fine early-season form - was sidelined after suffering ankle ligament damage when playing for England in Switzerland on September 7.
""Theo might be involved on Saturday as well,'' Wenger said. ""I might put him in the squad. I will see how he is, but he looks very, very sharp. The only uncertainty is his ankle, but he might be involved.''
(Source: Soccernet)