Arsene Wenger has enough on his plate without worrying about the World Cup as he battles to end Arsenal's five-year trophy drought.

Yet the Frenchman has delivered some positive news to the Danish camp by suggesting that Nicklas Bendtner will be 'like a new signing' when he returns to action after injury.

Bendtner, recently named as Denmark's Player of the Year, has been missing since the end of October and will be absent from his club's Christmas programme.

The 21-year-old's situation is being monitored closely by Danish coach Morten Olsen, who has pinpointed Bendtner's form as key to the country's hopes of progressing in South Africa.

The Danes have been paired in a tough group which includes Holland, Japan and Cameroon.

But Wenger is confident Bendtner, who has netted just once on the Premier League stage this season, will be firing on all cylinders come next summer's tournament.

Bendtner had surgery in November after suffering a groin injury in the 3-0 win over Tottenham on October 31 and had been expected to return before Christmas before suffering a setback.

"Let's say the new year," Wenger said when questioned about Bendtner's possible return. "It is quite disappointing because he looked quite sharp. But when he does return it will be like having a new player."

Bendtner ended last season with 15 goals in all competitions for Arsenal and has scored three times in eight starts this term while adapting to a wider role in a new 4-3-3 formation.

Denmark have also benefited from Bendtner's improvement, with the former FC Copenhagen player helping his country qualify for the World Cup with three goals in their impressive qualifying campaign.

His superb strike against Portugal in September was voted Goal of the Year in Copenhagen.