Leeds United's Robin Koch sustained a meniscus injury on his debut for the club and was subsequently nursed through ten Premier League matches before breaking down.
It was decided surgery would be necessary mid-season, despite the injury woes Leeds were suffering from in defence at that time.
After three months, Koch appeared in a training video last week as his rehabilitation continues.
His return to regular action for the first team grows ever closer, with his inclusion in last weekend's matchday squad to face Chelsea.
Today though, he rejoins the U23 squad, in from the start as Mark Jackson's men look to extend their run at the top of the Premier League Division 2 standings.
Koch follows in the footsteps of Diego Llorente and Gaetano Berardi who have both utilised a vacant spot in the U23s rearguard in recent weeks and months to help step up their recovery from injury.
How Koch's knee holds up will be of particular intrigue to Marcelo Bielsa and his medical staff.
This will especially be the case ahead of this weekend's trip to the capital once more, as the Whites take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Koch's involvement at home to Chelsea - albeit not on the pitch - suggests he would be ready for another substitute role, provided he comes through today's U23s clash unscathed.
However, his return to the starting XI will not be a foregone conclusion, given that Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper have all been in relatively good form lately.
Only this morning, Diego Llorente was called up to Spain's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Koch will partner Gaetano Berardi in central defence today, while Ian Poveda returns to the fold from the start for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury six weeks ago.
Leeds United U23s kick-off against Newcastle United U23s at Thorp Arch from 1pm today.
Follow all the action in the live-blog here.
