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

Jesus has not featured for Arsenal since January after suffering a knee injury during an FA Cup match against Manchester United.

The 28-year-old recently resumed full training and has appeared on the bench for matches against Chelsea and Brentford.

Following a setback to 17-year-old winger Max Dowman, who sustained an ankle injury in an under-21 match, Jesus was reinstated to Arsenal’s UEFA A List for Wednesday’s clash with Club Brugge in Belgium.

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

Jesus’s return comes as a relief to manager Mikel Arteta, who has been forced to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker due to injuries to Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz.

Arsenal currently top the Premier League despite last weekend’s loss to Aston Villa and are in dominant form in the Champions League group stage with five straight wins.

Having been removed from the squad, Dowman will not be eligible to feature in UEFA competitions until February 6.