When Christopher Nkunku could return to training

Chelsea playmaker Christopher Nkunku is hopeful of returning to training at some point this week.

The Frenchman has had an injury-plagued debut season with the west London giants. Nkunku recently returned from a serious knee injury, but he lasted for only a few games.

He has been on the sidelines in recent outings with a hip problem, but the 26-year-old is hopeful that he will be back on the grass during the mini-winter break for the Blues.

Chelsea's next game will be against Middlesbrough. They lost 1-0 to the Championship outfit in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final and will be aiming to turn around the deficit.

Having Nkunku in the squad will be a huge plus for the Blues, but manager Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to pick him unless he is deemed fully fit and ready to play again for the club.

After the Boro game, the Blues have an FA Cup fourth round tie versus Aston Villa, also at home before they travel to Liverpool in the Premier League.