Nigel de Jong nearing AC Milan return

Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong has stepped up his recovery from an Achilles injury.

The 28-year-old has not featured for AC Milan ever since he suffered the problem at the beginning of December.

Reports had claimed that he would not play again this season, but his appearance at training yesterday morning has suggested that he could turn out for the Rossoneri in the coming weeks.

"Nigel de Jong did some running at the Milanello sports centre for the first time in four months. His teammates gave him a round of applause," read a statement on the club's official website.

De Jong joined Milan from Manchester City last summer.