Eden Hazard has provided Antonio Conte with a major boost by returning to training for the first time since injuring his ankle on international duty.
The 26-year-old missed Chelsea’s pre-season campaign after he underwent surgery in the summer having sustained an injury playing for Belgium following the end of the domestic campaign.
Despite training alongside his teammates for the first time in over three months, Hazard is unlikely to be in contention for a first team return until the middle of September at the earliest.
Speaking last week, Conte said: ‘It’s difficult to give a time or a date. Difficult, difficult.’
Conte faces a major selection headache ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League encounter with Tottenham at Wembley.
Chelsea got their title defence off to the worst possible start with a 3-2 defeat against Burnley last weekend with Conte’s misery compounded by the red cards received by club captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas.
Both are banned from the upcoming London derby, which could force David Luiz to be deployed in central midfield.
Summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko also joined in training on Tuesday, but the France international, like Hazard, is still expected to be out until September as he steps up his rehabilitation from knee surgery.
Spain international Pedro, who missed the defeat against Burnley, sat out today’s session with an ankle injury but Conte is hopeful he will recover in time to face Spurs.
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