Joe Rodon could return to action sooner than expected for Swansea City having stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury.
The centre-back has been sidelined since the end of October and was initially expected to be absent until the end of January or early February.
However, having undergone a successful operation several weeks ago, Rodon has since been given a boost from surgeons in London since his protective boot was removed last week.
The Wales defender ran on Monday for the first time since suffering the injury and is edging ever closer to a return to the grass.
Speaking about Rodon's progress - and that of Jordon Garrick who is sidelined with a hamstring injury - Steve Cooper recently said: "They're on course for coming back in mid-January. Jordon might be a touch later.
"Joe's coming out of his boot in a couple of days. He can't wait because you're getting closer to the grass then.
"As I said to Joe, as he's not the best for being injured in terms of his mood, obviously he commits to his rehab but he hates not playing and training. I said to him, 'you'll be back next month' because we're in December now, so he's looking forward.
"Jordon's a little bit behind time but it's going to plan."
Rodon has been a key figure for the Swans since breaking into the first team under Graham Potter last term.
The 22-year-old has made 13 Championship appearances for the club under Cooper, the last of which came in the 3-0 defeat to Brentford at the Liberty Stadium in October.
Such has been his rapid rise in SA1, Ryan Giggs handed the academy product his international debut in Wales' 2-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Azerbaijan in September.
He made a further three appearances for the national team before his injury.
And Cooper believes it's inevitable that Rodon will attract interest from clubs higher up the league pyramid in the future.
"I wouldn’t want to see Joe go at all – never mind in January," said the Swansea head coach.
"He’s a top centre-back at this level, even given his age and inexperience. It’s about how he plays.
"At some stage, hopefully, it will be inevitable there will genuine interest from the top clubs. But there is nothing as it stands."
