Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has admitted that he is still concerned over his fitness having only recently returned from a serious knee injury.

The defensive midfielder suffered the injury just weeks after agreeing to join Wolves and was forced to return to Arsenal in February in order to receive the best treatment.

Frimpong feels he is struggling to prove his fitness [Reuters]

Frimpong worked hard throughout the summer to regain his fitness and has only recently returned to training, whilst making his competitive comeback in the Under-21 Premier League.

Along with fellow first team members Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna, the trio had been using the youth games to prove their fitness, but Frimpong still does not believe he is ready to return to first team action.

"I still don't think I am 100 per cent right," Frimpong told The Mirror. "I don't want to push myself if I'm not ready - I don't think I am ready for the Arsenal first-team yet."

Wilshere and Sagna both returned to first team action in the 1-0 win over QPR last weekend, however, it is growing increasingly likely that Frimpong may be sent out on-loan.

The 20-year-old is expected to play some part in the Capital One Cup tie against Reading on Tuesday night as manager Arsene Wenger looks to rotate his squad.

The Mirror has reported that Arsenal may look to send the midfielder on a short-term loan in order for him to fully regain his match fitness and test out his knee in competitive action.

Frimpong was only able to make five appearances during his loan spell at Wolves before he suffered the injury which kept him sidelined for the best part of seven months.

The young midfielder has only made a total of 20 appearance in his fledgling career and will hope to prove his fitness and force his way into the first team plans of Wenger. 

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