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LONDON. — Francis Coquelin has recovered from injury almost a month ahead of schedule and is fit to take part in Arsenal’s fourth round FA Cup clash against Burnley today, according to Arsene Wenger.

The midfielder suffered the knee injury in his side’s English Premier League defeat to West Brom in November and was initially expected to be out until at least mid-February.

However, Wenger said the Frenchman will be available for today’s visit of the Championship side, with Tomas Rosicky also in line to make his first appearance of the season.

“Francis is available to play now because he has passed two weeks of full training. Tomas is also available for selection,” Wenger said.

Influential midfield duo Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla are still on the sidelines but striker Danny Welbeck, who has not featured for the Gunners since April 2015, is close to returning to action.

“Jack and Santi are progressing well but they are at least a few weeks away. But these two apart, it is just about competitiveness and match fitness,” Wenger said.

“Danny Welbeck is not completely ready but he is not far. He needs a game or two because he’s been out since last April. The Stoke (Under-21) game (today) is too soon because he only had one session with the team, and that is too short.”

Arsenal have surrendered their lead at the top of the English Premier League and slipped to third place, three points behind leaders Leicester, after failing to win their last three matches but host Southampton in the league on Tuesday.

But Coquelin’s return to the Arsenal squad for the FA Cup fourth round tie with Burnley today will hand Wenger’s side a major lift following last Sunday’s league defeat by Chelsea.

Burnley visit the Emirates six days after Diego Costa’s match-winning goal prevented the Gunners returning to the top of the English Premier League.

The way Wenger’s FA Cup holders respond against a side challenging for promotion from the Championship will be a test of character.

And Coquelin’s return two months after suffering knee ligament damage at West Bromwich Albion will help Arsenal recover from their latest stumble.

Wenger’s side have stuttered in recent weeks, winning just two of their last six league games.

And while the championship is clearly the club’s priority this season, progress towards a third successive FA Cup triumph will provide a welcome confidence boost.

Coquelin is expected to start on the bench and could be joined by Rosicky who made a 45-minute appearance for the club’s Under-21 side last week.

With Alexis Sanchez having returned following a hamstring problem as a second half substitute against Chelsea and Welbeck returning to full training, Arsenal’s injury list is finally shrinking.

Midfielders Wilshere and Cazorla remain the two most notable absentees while Per Mertesacker is suspended after being sent off against Chelsea.

Wenger confirmed yesterday that David Ospina will start between the sticks in place of Petr Cech.

New signing Mohamed Elneny could feature.

The Arsenal boss said: “We have to earn the right to qualify. I will make some changes for the game.”

Burnley are chasing an instant return to the Premier League but manager Sean Dyche insists he would still love to achieve another cup shock.

Dyche was a defender in the Chesterfield side that reached the semi-finals of the competition as a third-tier club in 1997 before losing to top-flight outfit Middlesbrough in a replay at Old Trafford.

And memories of that run means the competition still means a lot to the 44-year-old, whose side knocked out Middlesbrough in the third round.

Burnley have also won four of their last five league games to climb to third in the Championship as they look to bounce back from last season’s relegation.

Dyche said: “Any manager at any level will say the league is their priority but that does not put the FA Cup down.

“Our main objective is to try and push hard to get into the Premier League. But I love the FA Cup and have a great history with it.

“Historically, Arsenal lose about two games a season at the Emirates Stadium so we have to be part of a very small group. It’s a big ask to do that but we take the game on gladly and you plan to win a game whatever it is.

“It is the Cup. I have had a little bit of a sprinkling of the magic in the past. We will go down there with a team in good spirits and look to perform and see where it gets us.”

FA Cup Fixtures

(All 5pm unless otherwise stated)

Today: Colchester v Tottenham (2:45pm); Arsenal v Burnley; Aston Villa v Manchester City; Bolton v Leeds; Bury v Hull; Crystal Palace v Stoke; Nottm Forest v Watford; Oxford Utd v Blackburn; Portsmouth v Bournemouth; Reading v Walsall; Shrewsbury v Sheff Wed; West Brom v Peterborough.

Tomorrow: Carlisle V Everton (3:30pm); MK Dons V Chelsea (6pm). — AFP.