Ajax coach Frank de Boer is hoping for a double fitness boost ahead of the crunch Eredivisie clash with leaders FC Twente on Saturday.
De Boer's squad has been hit by injuries, but winger Miralem Sulejmani.could be available after making a rapid recovery from his problem, along with Vurnon Anita.
Serbian Sulejmani has returned to light training after picking up a hamstring injury during the Champions League game against Lyon last week.
Earlier reports indicated the 22-year-old would be sidelined for almost three weeks but De Boer revealed he could be back in contention to face title rivals Twente.
"He has already started training with the squad and will be tested again on Thursday," De Boer told www.eredivisie.nI. "I have not written him off for Saturday.
"We need to make a proper assessment before involving him in this weekend's action, as I do not intend to lose him for a long time."
Anita picked up an ankle injury during Sunday's 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven but could be available again after making a swift recovery.
However, defender Nicolai Boilesen is expected to be ruled out for six weeks after damaging his hamstring during the PSV match.
Araz Ozibiliz is also sidelined due to an ankle problem, adding to De Boer's selection headache.
"Araz sustained an ankle injury. Boilesen is also unavailable. However, we will probably know for certain about which players are available for selection on Friday," De Boer added.
Pacesetters Twente will be looking for their sixth league win of the season when they face the reigning champions, who are one point behind in third.
Twente top the table after taking 15 points from their opening six games in a superb start to the campaign.
Their form continued in Wednesday night's KNVB Beker cup second-round game against Zwaluwen when they recorded a comprehensive 8-1 win to progress to the next stage. Ajax were also successful, beating Noordwijk 3-1.
Second-placed AZ Alkmaar will be looking to leapfrog Twente into top spot but they face a tough game against Feyenoord.
Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman expects both right-back Kelvin Leerdam and striker John Guidetti to be fit for the clash.
Elsewhere, PSV return to the Eredivisie on the back of an 8-1 away win over VVSB in the cup and they travel to Roda JC, who are the only team to defeat Twente so far this season.
In the other games on Saturday, ADO Den Haag host VVV Venlo, Heracles travel to Heerenveen and NAC Breda face Utrecht.
On Sunday, De Graafschap play host to Groningen, RKC Waalwijk meet NEC Nijmegen and Excelsior face Vitesse Arnhem.
