Mauricio Pochettino to be handed 'surprise' boost as £52m Chelsea star to return to Cobham training ground

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is working hard to return to training this week as he eyes the Carabao Cup second-leg game against Middlesbrough next week, LondonWorld has been told.

The news will be a massive boost to manager Mauricio Pochettino who confirmed last week that he was worried about the striker's latest hip injury after he missed 10 days of training and three important games. 

Pochettino said ahead of the 1-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge: "We're disappointed and a little bit worried because we want him involved again as soon as possible.

"We are still assessing him, we don't know what is going to happen. It's complicated with Christopher. It's now between eight and 10 days since he could train. He was so close to feeling comfortable again, that he started the game against Crystal Palace."

The France international had only just returned from six months out with a knee injury and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for the club since his  £52 million move to England from German side RB Leipzig in the summer. He has scored one goal.

But with Chelsea chasing a spot in Wembley for the Carabao Cup, Nkunku could be the difference between winning it all and missing out narrowly. At the moment, they only have Armando Broja as the out-and-out striker with Nicolas Jackson away at the AFCON. 

Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling have all played as false nines but Argentinian manager Pochettino would be delighted to have his French striker fit and causing problems for opponents.