Abou Diaby set for return after 506-day injury layoff

Once hailed as the natural successor to Patrick Vieira in the Arsenal midfield, Abou Diaby is poised to return to the playing field for Marseille following 17 months on the treatment table.

The Frenchman's two brief appearances in his final two seasons with the Gunners means he has played just 83 minutes of competitive action in 1,062 days. Thursday's expected outing against fourth-tier Trelissac in the Coupe de France will be the 29-year-old's first in 506 days.

Diaby's shocking injury record means he has missed out of adding to his 16 international caps, as well as two FA Cup triumphs for Arsenal.