Gabriel Jesus has been reinstated to Arsenal’s Champions League squad as the Brazilian striker edges closer to his long-awaited return from injury.

The 28-year-old has not featured since suffering a knee injury in January’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United, but he has recently returned to full training and was named on the bench for matches against Chelsea and Brentford.

With teenage winger Max Dowman sidelined by an ankle injury sustained in an under-21 game, Arsenal have added Jesus to their UEFA A list ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Club Brugge in Belgium.

“Gabriel Jesus has replaced Max Dowman on our UEFA A list with immediate effect. Gabby is eligible to play against Club Brugge on Wednesday night,” Arsenal confirmed on their website.

Jesus’s availability offers a timely boost for Mikel Arteta, who has been forced to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker following injuries to Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League despite last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa and have won all five of their Champions League group-phase games so far.

With his removal from the squad, Dowman will be ineligible for UEFA competitions until February 6.