Chelsea handed fitness boost as 26-year-old shares photo during recovery phase

Robert Sanchez took to social media to offer an insight into his recovery from a knee injury.

The 26-year-old picked up an initial problem during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford back in December. Sanchez was able to carry on, but was eventually forced off in their next game against Everton, which they also lost by two goals to nil.

“We will assess day-by-day to know how to follow it,” was head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s initial assessment last month.

“His recovery will depend on him and the reaction of his knee and it is difficult to say in two or three weeks but we hope (he is back) as soon as possible.”

A decision was made after scans that Sanchez would not require surgery, with Djordje Petrovic impressing in goal during the Spaniard’s absence.

Pochettino was quizzed prior to Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Fulham last Saturday, ahead of a scheduled three days off for the team, on Sanchez’s current condition.

“Yes, we are so happy because the evolution is very good,” Pochettino told reporters on Friday.

“He was on the pitch running. In the next few days, he is going to do some running to see how his knee reacts. But it is a very good and positive evolution.”

Chelsea return to training this week in preparations for their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie at Stamford Bridge. They face Middlesbrough next Tuesday and will need to overturn a one goal deficit after defeat at the Riverside Stadium earlier this month.

Sanchez was back at Cobham for duty on Wednesday and shared a photo of him on Instagram in the medical room as he nears a return to availability.