Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is pushing hard to start the Champions League final after coming through first-team training, reports standard.co.uk.

The Gunners squad returned to their London Colney training base on Wednesday, having been afforded two days off following their win at Crystal Palace, which marked the end of the domestic season and saw the club lift the Premier League trophy.

Timber has been sidelined for two and a half months after suffering a hamstring injury against Everton in March.

It remains to be seen if Mikel Arteta is prepared to risk a player who will be lacking match fitness against Europe’s most fearsome attack, but the defender has taken the first steps towards being in contention.

Speaking to Standard Sport last week, Timber – who has been included in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad – was optimistic he will be fit to feature in the biggest game of his career.

Asked whether he might play in the final, he said: “Hopefully, yes. There’s hope, but as I said, we’ll see.

“I’m working really hard, I’m trying really hard, and obviously playing in the Champions League final is a dream.

“So I will give everything, and with the World Cup as well, but obviously, first the Champions League final. It’s going to be amazing anyway.”