Barcelona's defender Gabriel Milito, who tore a right knee ligament in May last year, could reappear before the end of the campaign.
However, the Argentina international is more likely to make his full return next season.
"I am optimistic that we will see him playing a part in some games this season because the recovery is going well," surgeon Ramon Cugat told local radio.
"The ideal would be to see him play a few minutes when the league is decided. We have to take it slowly." Milito had surgery on the same knee ligament in 2001.
The centre-back joined Barca from Real Zaragoza in 2007 and established himself as club captain Carlos Puyol's regular defensive partner before injury left him sidelined for the past year.