Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel could play again this season.
The Dutchman is recovering from a knee injury - and is ahead of schedule.
Van Ginkel said: "He'd (the surgeon) rarely seen such a speedy recovery. Together with the fact that I was physically fit as a fiddle, this has ensured that I am now so well.
"I volunteer at nine o'clock at the club, get treated, warm myself up in the gym or the pool and then go to the physiotherapist on the field. Now I can already change direction, reverse, cut, turn and shoot. Actually, I can do anything.
"The World Cup would be a bonus, because I am only focused on my recovery. My main goal is to get fully match fit again. And if that works in the short term, you never know what can result."
