Palermo striker Abel Hernandez is confident of recovering from his knee injury ahead of schedule.

Hernandez had been expected to leave Sicily in the summer amid links with Inter, Roma and Arsenal.

"Palermo is a club and a city that I am very fond of and I don't think that I let an opportunity of a lifetime go.

"Every year many transfer rumours go round, but the Rosanero are my present and I have nothing else in my mind. I'm very happy in Italy and would like to stay here for many years to come.

"I am sure that my teammates will do very well in my absence. This squad has quality and everything needed to go far."