The Gunners captain - who has found himself at the centre of a row with Hull and a possible Football Association investigation following allegations of spitting after the controversial midweek FA Cup quarter-final tie - is closing in on a first-team return from a serious knee injury which has sidelined him since before Christmas.

Midfielder Fabregas has, nevertheless, been an interested spectator from the sidelines, and witnessed the Gunners resurgence in recent weeks.

Now back up into fourth place in the Barclays Premier League following an unbeaten run of 15 matches and also in the last eight of the Champions League after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win in Rome, the atmosphere at the club is now much more positive as the campaign enters a crucial stage.

Fabregas - who hopes to be match fit following the international break - feels the team can draw on that for the battles ahead.

"In recent games everyone's attitude has changed, the players and the fans, and you can see that reflected on the pitch," the 21-year-old said.

"All of the frustration is now turning into enthusiasm for the season - we are also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and are fourth in the league with nine games to go and a lot of points to win.

"It is good that we are fighting on three fronts and that we are getting our football back on to the top level.

"Now we need to keep it going and improve - a great team is one that always tries to get better and better. We are on the way, and we can't lose that."

Fabregas, though, warned Arsenal, who travel to relegation battlers Newcastle on Saturday, must not waste all of their hard work by allowing complacency to creep in.

"We are back in fourth place now and need to take care of what we have. We must realise that now we have got it back, we can't lose it again easily," he said.

"We know how hard we have been working for it, and now it would be a big mistake to ease off."

Fabregas spent some rehabilitation time back in his native Spain, but has now stepped up the fitness work at Arsenal's Hertfordshire training camp and is hopeful of being in contention for the both the Champions League quarter-final ties next month and also the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.

"It will now be a case of me waiting for everyone to come back from international duty, and I will look to be ready when they return," he said.

Winger Theo Walcott - himself just fit from a long injury lay-off after shoulder surgery - is relishing the prospect of the Gunners skipper returning to the side.

"He is going to be a brilliant player for us when he comes back," said the England international.

"I hope people won't expect wonders straight away, but he will get back to his best soon."

Fabregas, meanwhile, categorically denies the allegations by Hull boss Phil Brown he witnessed the Gunners captain spit towards assistant manager Brian Horton as they went down the tunnel at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The FA have written to Hull asking for their version of events, as nothing was mentioned in the report of referee Mike Riley of any other match officials.

Horton has contacted the League Managers' Association for their advice, and is understood to be considering lodging a formal complaint.

However, until any such official notification is received, the FA cannot take the matter any further.

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Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirmed Fabregas had joined in with the rest of the squad for a full session.

"Fabregas and Eduardo have come back into full training today, but I think they will be short for Saturday," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"It is the first time back for Cesc. He is physically fit, but he needs a few training sessions, so it will be after the international break for him."

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is expected to be available on Saturday following an ankle problem, while defender Mikael Silvestre could also come into contention following some 10 weeks out with a calf problem.