'Healed': Forgotten Chelsea star returns to first team training at Cobham for the first time in five months

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has finally returned to first team training at Cobham - and posted a picture of himself declaring his fitness for the first time this season.

Chalobah picked up a hamstring injury with the team in pre-season and has had setbacks that have meant he has not kicked a ball since. But he could now be set to hand manager Mauricio Pochettino a boost going into the second half of the season.

The central defender who can play as full back has been one of the players who have endured a frustrating first half of the season in a list that includes Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Recently, Marc Cucurella was ruled for the next three months, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has been battling a knee problem and French striker Christopher Nkunku, who has made just one league start, has picked up a hip injury.

Chalobah's return makes for an interesting situation as he has been one of the players that has been linked with an exit. His new-found fitness could reignite interest, with Nottingham Forest said to be leading the way.

He posted a message on his social ahead of the club's Carabao Cup first leg game against Middlesbrough: "I am healed in Jesus name."

Chelsea, however, released a list of players still working their way back that said the 24-year-old was "continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme".

Chelsea have Axel Disasi, who has become the managers favourite, playing in almost every game and the experienced Thiago Silva, who continues to defy his age and remains the club's first choice right-sided centre-half.

Benoit Badiashile has been in and out of the team while Levi Colwill, who impressed at Brighton as a centre-half, has been deployed mostly as a left back.