Cleaven Frendo is nearing the end of his rehabilitation from a knee operation and hopes to make his comeback next month.

The Valletta and Malta midfielder has been out of action since injuring his cruciate ligaments during training with the national squad back in March.

"The recovery is going according to plan," Frendo, who underwent surgery at the clinic of renowned Belgian specialist Marc Martens over six months ago, told The Times.

"Coming back from this type of injury is not easy but the hardest part is behind me.

"I'm in the final stages of my rehabilitation and I'm really looking forward to my return. I'm training with the ball now and, fingers crossed, I should be ready to make my competitive comeback next month."

Frendo, who had a spell with Torino's youth team in his teens, has long been regarded as one of the country's most talented players but his career has been blighted by a series of injuries.

The former Pietà Hotspurs and Marsaxlokk winger joined Valletta in the summer of 2008 but missed the title run-in last season after suffering his knee injury.

"It's so frustrating when you're out of football for a long time but I never gave up," Frendo said. "I 've been driven by a desire to get back to full fitness and start playing again.

"The technical and medical staff of the national team as well as Valletta FC have been very supportive."

Frendo has a tough task on his hands to force his way back into the first team, both at club and international level, not only because of his long injury lay-off but also because new coaches are now in charge of Valletta and the national side.

Ton Caanen succeeded Paul Zammit at Valletta in the close season and John Buttigieg picked up the reins of the national team as Dusan Fitzel's replacement in July.

"My main priority at present is to regain my fitness and start playing again," Frendo said. "Once I had made that crucial step, I will do my best to rediscover my best form and fight for a first-team place at Valletta.

"I'm also willing to get back into the national squad but at the moment, I'm devoting all my attention and energy to boosting my fitness level. It's a gradual process."