Chelsea handed major new injury boost as Enzo Maresca reveals date for key return

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Evening Standard

·24. Oktober 2025

Chelsea handed major new injury boost as Enzo Maresca reveals date for key return

In-form Blues set to receive imminent attacking help during hectic fixture schedule

Chelsea have received a new injury boost after Liam Delap returned to training.

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The striker, a £30million summer signing from Ipswich, has not featured since suffering a hamstring problem during the 2-0 win over Fulham back in late August.

Delap was ruled out for 10 to 12 weeks, meaning he was not expected back in action for Chelsea until November or potentially even December.

However, Blues boss Enzo Maresca revealed ahead of Wednesday night’s 5-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League that the forward was “very close” to resuming training.

That has now happened, with Delap back out on the grass at Cobham on Thursday as in-form Chelsea prepare for the visit of promoted Sunderland to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this weekend, aiming for a fifth successive victory across all competitions.

While that match will come too soon for his comeback, the 22-year-old is expected to be in contention on Wednesday night when Chelsea travel to face struggling Wolves in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup at Molineux.

“We don’t have any new injuries,” Maresca told reporters on Friday. “Liam took part in the session with the team for the first time. So, he’s not going to be available for tomorrow’s game but probably for the next one.”

Early setback: Liam Delap has not played for Chelsea since August due to a hamstring injury

Adam Davy/PA Wire

Asked whether Delap could be in contention against Wolves, Maresca said: “He can be available.

“The schedule can change a little bit, it depends on how they improve or getting worse. The first time they (the medical team) said to me that he could be available for the 25th October.”

Delap will face increased competition for places at Chelsea when he returns, with Marc Guiu having impressed over recent weeks in support of Joao Pedro as he prepares for a swift reunion with Sunderland, the club where he spent a short period on loan in the summer before being recalled after a matter of weeks following Delap’s injury and the respective exits of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.

Chelsea remain without Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile until December, while Levi Colwill and Dario Essugo are both long-term absentees.

Malo Gusto will serve a one-match suspension against Sunderland after being sent off late on in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable for selection.

On the threat posed by a Sunderland team that have adapted impressively to life back in the Premier League, sitting seventh, Maresca said: “The challenge is always the same: try to win the game. They are going to try and create different situations for us.

“I spent one season with Leicester in the Championship and I love the Championship.

“I watched Sunderland since last season when the manager [Regis Le Bris] arrived. They play good football, they are physically strong, so I like the way they are doing things.”