Jack Collison has been ruled out for six to seven weeks with a dislocated kneecap - raising hopes he could still play a significant part before the end of the season.
The 20-year-old Wales midfielder hurt his right knee in the second half of the 1-0 win at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday 4 May. Collison underwent an arthroscopy to assess and deal with the injury on Tuesday and is recovering well. He has made 16 league appearances this season, scoring three goals, and also established himself as a full international.
The news follows the confirmation earlier this week that Valon Behrami will be out for six months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee. The 23-year-old midfielder had been injured in the 1-0 victory against Manchester City on Sunday 1 May. Meanwhile, Luis Boa Morte (groin), Kieron Dyer (calf) and James Collins (hamstring) are all doing well in training - with the former the closest to a first-team return.