SONE Aluko is only rated as a "long shot" to play again for Hull City this season, despite a successful operation on his long-standing Achilles injury.
Aluko went under the knife on Monday in a procedure on his plantaris tendon and specialists are confident he will only require two months of rehabilitation, rather than the six months feared.
That positive forecast would give the 24-year-old the opportunity to play in a potential play-off campaign, but manager Steve Bruce is cool on the prospect.
"If everything goes to plan it'll be two months, rather than six," he said.
"The surgeon seems very optimistic about things but it's still a long shot whether he'll play any part this season, a big long shot.
"But it's better news for Sone and that's the main thing. It's been a really frustrating injury and now he can look forward to better times.
"It's been a big blow but hopefully this will finally fix him."
Aluko has been joined in the treatment room this week by midfielder Corry Evans.
The Northern Ireland international was initially named on the bench for Tuesday's 4-2 defeat at Crystal Palace only to withdraw following the warm-up after suffering a thigh injury.
It means Evans will be missing for Monday's trip to Burnley and next Saturday's home game with Nottingham Forest. A decision over his availability for Northern Ireland duty will be made next week.
Tom Cairney (calf) and James Chester, who needed stitches in a head wound suffered a Selhurst Park, both trained fully yesterday.
