Chelsea midfielder returns to training in boost ahead of West Ham, Dortmund & Spurs clashes

Graham Potter has been receiving boost after boost at Chelsea in recent weeks following multiple injury returns, and another has now made a comeback.

Chelsea‘s injury problems were alarming and concerning with the squad dropping like flies in the first part of the season, with up to 12 players out at one single time.

Last week, Chelsea saw Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling return to action against Fulham in the goalless draw following injuries, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also recovered from an issue picked up prior to the World Cup break.

Wesley Fofana has stepped up his return from a knee injury and reintegrated himself into the team at Cobham.

N’Golo Kante is reportedly nearly ready to make his training return. Chelsea are hoping to welcome him back later this week or next week, with the Blues refusing to rush him back to avoid any further setbacks following his hamstring injury which required the 31-year-old to undergo surgery.

Now Potter has welcomed another back into the group. Denis Zakaria has been out of action since January after sustaining a thigh injury in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage last month.

“Denis is going to be probably four weeks,” said the 47-year-old. “It’s the top of his quad and that is a blow for us. Hopefully, he can return sooner.”

Zakaria was pictured in Chelsea training on Wednesday at Cobham, striking the ball with Conor Gallagher in sight.

Whether or not the Switzerland international will be fit enough to be available for selection against West Ham remains unclear.

Chelsea have games against West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur coming up before the month finishes.

However, it’s another boost nevertheless for Potter who is starting to see a nearly fully fit squad with the injury problems reducing.