Bolton defender Gary Cahill is scheduled to return to training today just 37 days after being diagnosed as having a blood clot in his left arm.
Cahill has made a remarkable recovery after it was initially feared he would miss the rest of the season.
It means he should be able to play in the latter part of the campaign for Bolton and revive his dream of making the England World Cup squad.
Cahill, who was admitted to hospital on the day of the Fulham game on February 6, said in the club programme: "Catching it so early has saved months of treatment.
"To have missed only a month and be on the verge of returning to full training with the rest of the squad is a massive turnaround.
"I now have a chance to feature in the run-in. I am going to work hard and make sure I am in the best possible condition when that time comes around."
Cahill was forced to sit out England's friendly against Egypt but has not given up hope of travelling to South Africa.
He said: "When you are in the squad you have a chance of playing. But I can't do anything about it. It is all about getting fit and concentrating on my form for Bolton.
"If I can get back playing well and pick up where I left off you never know what might happen with England."
Manager Owen Coyle is looking forward to welcoming Cahill back into the fold.
Coyle said: "He is doing well and in good fettle. I envisage he will start joining in at the beginning of the week.
"He is in good shape and we just have to build his confidence up, that's the main thing."
