Bilic - Eduardo back in weeks

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic is hopeful injured striker Eduardo will return to training ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Arsenal striker is missing from Euro 2008 after suffering a broken left leg in a horror tackle with Birmingham's defender Martin Taylor in February.

He was expected to be out for up to 15 months but is set to return much sooner - and could be back in time to join Arsenal's pre-season training in July.

This is welcome news to Bilic, who describes the loss of the striker - who has been recovering since mid-April in a clinic in Rio De Janeiro - as a handicap.

The Croatia boss told the Daily Mirror: "He is recovering and may even join Arsenal for their preparations.

"Eduardo's absence is a handicap, we feel it all the time."