LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has returned to fitness after a five-month injury layoff, handing manager Arsene Wenger a late-season boost before Sunday's away clash with Manchester City.

The 31-year-old Spain international played an hour for the club's under-21s against Blackburn Rovers this week, and could return to first-team action for the first time since injuring his knee in December.

Arsenal are third in the Premier League, three points above City, and will guarantee themselves an 18th successive Champions League campaign if they win.

"I would like to help the first team at the weekend against Manchester City," Cazorla told the club's website. "(Wenger) has the decision, but I will try to play."