Chelsea set for major double injury boost as Enzo Maresca hints at early return | OneFootball

Blues’ dire fitness problems are finally starting to ease amid packed fixture schedule

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Enzo Fernandez has returned to Chelsea training, while Liam Delap looks to be on track to make his comeback from injury earlier than expected.

Fernandez missed Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest after returning early from international duty with Argentina due to a knee problem, though his manager insisted that the issue was “not a big problem”.

His status for Wednesday’s Champions League visit of Ajax to Stamford Bridge has been in question, but the influential midfielder has been back training at Cobham in the build-up to the game.

"Enzo took part in the session yesterday,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “We have one more session this afternoon.

£30million summer signing Delap, meanwhile, has not played for Chelsea since injuring his hamstring against Fulham in August, with fears that he would not be back in action until November or possibly December.

However, Maresca has now revealed that the former Ipswich striker is on the verge of his own training return as he works towards being back in contention, seemingly earlier than expected.

Key duo: Liam Delap and Enzo Fernandez in action for Chelsea during the Club World Cup

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

“Liam is very close,” the Italian said. “He is not working with us yet. He is still out. But hopefully he can start in the next days [training] with us.”

Delap’s injury led to an eventful end to the summer transfer window at Chelsea, who recalled fellow forward Marc Guiu from his season-long loan spell at Sunderland after a matter of weeks and eventually allowed Nicolas Jackson to join Bayern Munich.

The Blues got the likes of Andrey Santos and Tosin Adarabioyo back from injury at the weekend, while Reece James and Joao Pedro both completed 90 minutes against Forest after respective knocks and Pedro Neto was deemed fit to start after a scare.

Moises Caicedo was introduced as a half-time substitute amid his own fitness issues, though Wesley Fofana was omitted from the squad entirely despite now having recovered from a concussion sustained in the Carabao Cup win over Lincoln last month.

Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer has been ruled out for a further six weeks as a result of his persistent groin injury, with Benoit Badiashile also lost until December with a muscular complaint.

Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill are both long-term absentees, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable for selection.

Malo Gusto is free to play against Ajax following his red card at Forest, but will be suspended for Sunderland’s visit to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday.