Fabregas set for swift return for Arsenal

Published Dec. 17, 2009 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas limped off before the break during the draw with Burnley in a match that left Wenger fuming at the fixture compilers and the Premier League defending their schedule.

Wenger immediately ruled his captain out of the clash against Hull on Saturday, although the injury may not be as bad as first feared.

"Cesc had a scan today," said Wenger. "We have not had the result yet. "The only thing that is sure is that he will not play on Saturday.

"Beyond that, it all depends on the scan. Is it a tightness that just presents a small risk on Saturday or is it a slight strain - grade one or two? We'll know that later.

"If it is a tear it is a small one and the maximum would be 10 days. So it is not long-term."

Denilson could deputise for Fabregas against Hull after recovering from a back problem.

"Denilson is back and available for Saturday," Wenger said on Arsenal TV Online. Nicklas Bendtner, Tomas Rosicky, Gael Clichy and Armand Traore will be unavailable, and Wenger said: "The first back should be Traore, maybe for Aston Villa (on December 27)."