Abou Diaby looks set to put his injury nightmare behind him as the Marseille midfielder revealed on Wednesday that he has 'never been so close to a return' to first-team duty.

The Frenchman left Arsenal in the summer after making only a single appearance in his final season at the club following a series of injury struggles.

After failing to earn a new contract under Arsene Wenger he joined Marseille in July 2015 but has failed to make a first-team appearance so far after suffering a fresh setback in November.

Abou Diaby revealed on Wednesday that he is finally close to ending his injury nightmare at Marseille

The former Arsenal midfielder has not made an appearance in professional football since September 2014

The former French international insisted in a press-conference that he has 'never been so close' to a return

But now the former France international insists he is ready to make his long-awaited bow in a Marseille shirt as he looks to get his stuttering career back on track.

'I have never been so close to a return. I feel good,' Diaby said at a press conference on Wednesday.

'At the moment, all of the lights are green for me. I am ready to play.

'My last match was in September 2014. For three years I have been toiling. It is time to put it behind me. I need to rediscover passion and enjoyment. I am lucky to be able to play football at the highest level.'

Diaby joined Marseille in July 2015 after his Arsenal ran out and he could play this Friday against Rennes

Diaby made his final appearance for Arsenal in a Capital One Cup defeat by Southampton in September 2014

The 29-year-old last played professional football in September 2014, when he started in Arsenal's Capital One Cup defeat by Southampton.

He played 67 minutes that night before being replaced by Santi Cazorla, but that was to be the extent of his contributions for the rest of last season.

His Marseille debut could arrive on Friday night with Rennes visiting the Stade Velodrome, or on April 2 against Bastia after the international break.

The Frenchman joined Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006 and made 180 appearances for the club in nine years

Diaby heads a winning goal against Liverpool in January 2010, one of 19 goals he scored for Arsene Wenger

DIABY AT ARSENAL 2005-6: 16 GAMES, 1 GOAL 2006-7: 18 GAMES, 1 GOAL 2007-8: 28 GAMES, 4 GOALS 2008-9: 36 GAMES, 4 GOALS 2009-10: 40 GAMES, 7 GOALS 2010-11: 20 GAMES, 2 GOALS 2011-12: 5 GAMES, 0 GOALS 2012-13: 15 GAMES, 0 GOALS 2013-14: 1 GAME, 0 GOALS 2014-15: 1 GAME, 0 GOALS Advertisement

With France hosting this summer's European Championship, Diaby has not given up hope of representing his country again, though he concedes he is unlikely to make Didier Deschamps' final squad.

'To be back in the French shirt one day would be a great thing,' he added. 'But I am not thinking about that at the moment.'

Diaby spoke about his decision to move back to his homeland last summer, and believes he is receiving better medical attention now at his new club.

He said: 'I spent nine years in England, I wanted to change my environment and I think that it helped me for my return.

'The medical methods are different at Arsenal and Marseille. What is essential is that the method works. I could not find better medical help than here at Marseille.'