Chelsea handed Enzo Fernandez injury boost as Enzo Maresca reveals Liam Delap update

Enzo Fernandez has returned to Chelsea training, while Liam Delap could make a comeback from injury earlier than expected.

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Enzo Fernandez has returned to Chelsea training, while Liam Delap could make a comeback from injury earlier than expected.

Fernandez missed Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest after returning early from international duty with Argentina due to a knee problem.

His status for Wednesday’s Champions League visit of Ajax to Stamford Bridge has been in question, but the influential midfielder has been back training at Cobham in the build-up to the game.

"Enzo took part in the session yesterday,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said on Tuesday. “We have one more session this afternoon. We will see what we decide with him tomorrow. But we said before [that] it was not something we have to be worried about. It was just to try to protect Enzo.”

Summer signing Delap has not played for Chelsea since injuring his hamstring against Fulham in August, with fears that he would not be back in action until November or possibly December.

However, Maresca has now revealed that the former Ipswich striker is on the verge of his own training return as he works towards being back in contention, potentially earlier than expected.

“Liam is very close,” the Italian said. “He is not working with us yet. He is still out. But hopefully he can start in the next days [training] with us.”

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