Chelsea close to £83m double injury boost ahead of West Ham and Brighton clashes

Chelsea are gearing up to welcome first team stars Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia back from injury in a promising update shared by the club this week.

Full-back Gusto suffered a thigh injury against Crystal Palace at the start of the month and consequently pulled out of France under-21 action over the international break. Meanwhile, midfielder Lavia played the first two games of the Blues' season before picking up a fresh hamstring niggle.

The absence of those players has been a blow for Enzo Maresca, despite his side's steady start to the season with two wins, a draw and a defeat. Chelsea beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium last weekend but were without Enzo Fernandez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Reece James, as well as Gusto and Lavia in somewhat of an injury crisis.

The Chelsea website published a series of training ground pictures on Monday which provided hints as to the injured stars' progress, including Gusto and Lavia. It said: "There was further good news as Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia continued their rehabilitation with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury."

It is thought that the duo could be in contention to return to first team action this weekend when Chelsea face West Ham at the London Stadium. The Hammers will be buoyed by a dramatic late leveller against Fulham last time out as Julen Lopetegui looks for his second league win of the season since taking over at the club this summer.

Gusto, who signed for Chelsea from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023 for £30 million, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last time out. The 21-year-old made 27 Premier League appearances under Mauricio Pochettino, picking up six assists across those outings.

Meanwhile, Lavia was another big investment in 2023 with Chelsea spending £53 million to bring the midfielder to Stamford Bridge from Southampton. The 20-year-old endured a campaign riddled with injury during his debut season in London, managing just one single Premier League appearance.

After facing West Ham this weekend, Chelsea host Barrow in the Carabao Cup before top flight action against Brighton and a Europa Conference League meeting with Gent.