A method and associated apparatus for embedding control information in a data signal to be transmitted over a data link by a network node includes the generation of control information to be transmitted over a data link by a network node. Additionally, a transmission signal is generated by combining the control information with data to be transmitted. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data is transmitted within a prescribed frequency bandwidth such that a frequency gap is defined within the frequency bandwidth. Control information is, as such, transmitted within the defined frequency gap.