Alexis Sanchez has returned to training after reports last week indicated he could be out for months

The striker limped out of training last Tuesday after suffering an injury to his calf and subsequently missed the match against Colombia.

Early reports indicated that Sanchez could miss up to 8 weeks with the injury, and Arsene Wenger criticised the Chile team for not allowing the Arsenal medical staff to run tests on the forward.

Wenger also warned Chile against making a “suicidal decision”, and it appears that has worked as they have treated Sanchez carefully since the injury.

However, Wenger’s wish that Sanchez be left out of the clash with Uruguay will likely be ignored, as Sanchez returned to training on Sunday, according to the Mirror – albeit with a heavily bandaged thigh.

Chile are still outside of the automatic qualification spots, and this will no doubt push manager Juan Antonio Pizzi into playing Sanchez, in what could prove to be a crucial tie for their qualification hopes.

Picture released by Photosport Chile showing Chile's player Alexis Sanchez taking a break in Santiago on November 8, 2016 during a training session ahead of their WC 2018 qualifier against Colombia. / AFP / Photosport Chile / Marcelo HERNANDEZ (Photo credit should read MARCELO HERNANDEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Picture released by Photosport Chile showing Chile’s player Alexis Sanchez taking a break in Santiago on November 8, 2016 during a training session ahead of their WC 2018 qualifier against Colombia. (Courtesy: MARCELO HERNANDEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Arsenal face Manchester United on November 19th in what is sure to be a tricky clash for the Gunners, and Arsene Wenger will be hoping his star man comes through the international break, injury free.

Sanchez has been deployed as a forward this season to great effect, with the explosive forward scoring 8 goals in 13 games across all competitions.

He has also notched up 5 assists in those games, and has been integral to Arsenal’s ongoing 16-match unbeaten run.

Stories also emerged earlier this week that contract talks with Sanchez were not progressing as expected, and that Manchester City and Juventus were waiting in the wings to swoop for the Chilean forward.

For the moment, though, Wenger will just be hoping for everything to go well this week so that he can field a full-strength side against Manchester United.

Chile face Uruguay in the CONMEBOL World Cup 2018 Qualifiers on Wednesday, 16th November.

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