Christian Pulisic has formed part of Chelsea’s travelling party for a Champions League trip to Malmo, with the United States international closing in on a long-awaited return from injury.
The 23-year-old forward has not figured for the Blues since August 14, with a serious fitness setback suffered while away on international duty in September.
It has been a long road to recovery for Pulisic, with a niggling ankle problem proving difficult to shake, but he has been included in Thomas Tuchel’s preliminary plans ahead of a European outing in Sweden on Tuesday.
The American has seen just 82 minutes of Premier League football this season, with his only other outing at club level coming in a UEFA Super Cup clash with Villarreal.
Chelsea had initially hoped that an exciting talent would sit out just three games before coming back into contention.