FC Groningen coach Ron Jans expects to have defender Andreas Granqvist available for the start of the new season.

The 24-year-old tore ankle ligaments this week but immediately stated his intention to be ready to face Ajax on August 2.

And Jans told Voetbal International: "It looks a lot better than we first thought.

"It looks as if the injury is healing much faster than we expected. He thinks he'll be back for the Ajax match."

The initial estimate was for Granqvist to be fit again in five to six weeks.