Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup insists Michu will not be rushed back into the starting line-up.
The Spanish forward has been sidelined with an ankle injury, which required surgery, since the middle of December and is keen to return for the Welsh derby with Cardiff City on February 8.
But Laudrup says his star goalscorer will be reintroduced slowly after struggling so much with ankle and knee problems this season.
"Getting him back would be like having a new signing," said Laudrup. "But we're not talking about a two-week injury.
"He had surgery at the end of December, before that he had an injury in the last derby on his other ankle, so he has been out for quite some time this season.
"We well know it is one thing to be fit, and another to be match fit.
"So I don't want to put pressure on Michu and say he will back in the derby and have everybody think he can play 75 minutes without a problem and be at his best.
"I think we can all agree what when we play Cardiff we will need everyone at their best and normally when you have players who have been out for quite some time you have to ease them back in."
