Chelsea manager drops exact time £52m stars will return to first team training after injury blow

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is making giant strikes on his way back to full fitness and could be back immediately after the next international break according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The former RB Leipzig forward shone brightly in pre-season with three goals and impressive overall play before cracking his knee in the final pre-season game against German side Dortmund.

Since then, Chelsea have had to adapt their game and even striker Nicolas Jackson has had to suffer having formed a brilliant partnership with the French forward.

But the Chelsea boss says there could be light at the end of the tunnel with the 25-year-old now back on the grass and working his way back into first-team training.

Pochettino told reporters ahead of the weekend’s home game against Brentford: “I think he is a player when you see the goals from last season.

“He is a player that can provide goals and we are missing goals. It’s a player that can be important for us. Today with maybe 8-10 goals from Nkunku the situation is different. Unlucky but we also cannot complain. Things can happen. Looking forward to recovering him he might be ready after the next international break.”

Chelsea though are beginning to get in the goals, the Blues have scored at least two goals in their last three top-flight games, the first time they’ve managed that in a year. They will also hope to grab only their second league win at home when they host the Bees on Saturday.

Asked about their recent home record that reads just one win in the last 12, Pochettino admitted they will have to start making their home support count by winning games.

He added: “Really important, at home, we need to start to win, we need to project that we are solid and consistent in front of our fans.”

They are without a win in their last three meeting against Thomas Frank’s team who will be looking for their third win at Stamford Bridge in the last three years.