Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed striker Liam Delap is back in training and eyeing a return to competitive action before the end of the month.
Delap went down with a hamstring injury in late August and has missed the last nine games in all competitions, but the summer signing has managed to stay on track in his injury recovery and is now back in training.
Saturday’s visit from Sunderland is clearly too soon for Delap, but Maresca told his pre-match press conference that Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers could be a sensible target.
“Liam took part in the session yesterday with the team for the first time, so he’s not going to be available for tomorrow’s game, but probably for the next match,” Maresca explained. “He can be available.”
Delap’s imminent return could provide a huge boost to a Chelsea side which has struggled in front of goal in his absence. João Pedro, another summer signing, has been forced to tweak his role to help cover for the Englishman, which has led to a drop in his output.
