Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is not expected to return to training until the end of August.
Walcott, 25, ruptured his left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the FA Cup third round clash with Tottenham Hotspur in January.
“We expect him to be back in full training at the end of August,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The England international missed the closing fixtures of the 2013/14 season and the World Cup in Brazil.
“Theo has a good basis, which is what he’s working on now,” added Wenger.
He was expected to be sidelined for 6 months, but the club has now accepted he would not return before the start of the season.
Wenger also predicted a “very quick” return to contention for Walcott, who was also omitted from coach Fabio Capello’s final 23-man squad for South Africa 2010.
