Chelsea could have Champions League winner and shining light ready for Bournemouth after international break

Chelsea could be boosted with the return of Benoit Badiashile for their game against Bournemouth next week after the defender returned to training.

Chelsea have been dealt a number of injury blows that have somehow played a role in their underwhelming start to the season.

Captain Reece James is getting close to returning after missing the last three games through injury while Colwill is already with the England team despite what looked like a scare in the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

New signing Romeo Lavia has also stayed behind at Cobham to work on his fitness having missed the whole pre-season due to a long-lasting transfer saga that eventually ended with him at Stamford Bridge.

But the good news is that Benoit Badiashile who missed the start of the season due to a troublesome hamstring is making progress and could be back for his first game of the campaign away to Bournemouth next weekend.

Reece James took to social media to update fans on his progress from his hamstring injury in the season's first game. He was also spotted at Stamford Bridge during the Luton match with Todd Boehly, John Terry and Romeo Lavia.

There is growing expectation that the right-back will be back after the September international break, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case.

Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka all still have a long way to go in their fight to return from the injuries that have denied them a chance to be involved.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said on the injury to his captain Reece James: “It is a sad moment because he’s our captain and he was so excited to be our captain and he was full of energy.”

Chelsea have won only one of their first four league games, and that was against newly promoted side Luton having lost to Nottingham Forest and West Ham, they drew at home to Liverpool.