AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani says Stephan El Shaarawy is on the brink of a playing return.

He was given the all-clear to remove the cast on his foot after surgery in December.

"El Shaarawy is a very important player and could be even more crucial with this current system Clarence Seedorf is using," CEO Galliani told Sky Sport Italia.

"He has now stopped using crutches, which is already a good sign. There are another six weeks to go and we hope his torment is coming to an end."