Ghana superstar ANDRE Ayew is in a race to be fit for his English Premier League side Swansea City's trip to Stoke City this weekend.
The eight-goal forward has missed Swansea's last two games with an ankle injury he suffered during the win over Norwich City nearly four weeks ago.
And boss Francesco Guidolin is waiting to discover whether the Ghana star will be cleared to return to action when Swansea go in search of a first ever Premier League win at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Ayew has been a regular throughout his maiden campaign in the Premier League, featuring in all but one of Swansea's top-flight matches — he was an unused substitute at Crystal Palace over Christmas — before picking up the ankle problem.
The former Marseille player initially returned to France for treatment on the injury, but was back at the Liberty to watch Swansea triumph over Aston Villa — who included his brother Jordan — last time out.
And Ayew has been back out on the training ground with Swansea this week, although it is not yet clear whether he will be given the go-ahead to feature against Stoke.
If fit, Ayew could give Swansea another option in attack, where Alberto Paloschi lost his starting place against Villa.
Bafetimbi Gomis got the nod to lead the Swansea line, but he failed to impress on a difficult afternoon for his team.
In Ayew's absence, Modou Barrow has been influential on the right flank, and it would be tough on the pacy Gambian if he was to lose his starting spot in the Potteries.
Guidolin could opt to deploy Ayew on the other flank, or in a more central role, which would be more likely should Swansea switch back to a midfield diamond.
Some of Guidolin's international players have returned to the training ground after representing their countries, with Wales pair Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor expected back today.
But with a number of others in action last night, it may not be until Friday that Swansea's full squad are reunited ahead of Stoke.