Callum Hudson-Odoi has handed Frank Lampard a surprise injury boost after returning to training early.
The forward was one of Chelsea's stand-out stars last season, but has missed the start of the new campaign due to a Achilles tendon injury he suffered last April.
Chelsea have missed Hudson-Odoi's energy in attack after being beaten 4-0 by Manchester United in their opening game and then playing out a frustrating 1-1 draw with Leicester City last Sunday.
Hudson-Odoi was not due to return to action before October, but was in training with the first-team on Tuesday.
His return is ahead of schedule and Hudson-Odoi could now make his comeback next month, according to the Mirror.
Hudson-Odoi linked up with the senior squad for the first time on Tuesday after spending three weeks with the Under-23s team building up his fitness.
The news will come as a big boost to Lampard, with concerns about Chelsea's firepower this season.
Youngster Mason Mount scored Chelsea's first league goal of the campaign against Leicester, but the Blues struggled to convert their chances against United and Leicester.
Hudson-Odoi broke into Maurizio Sarri's squad last season and impressed in the Europa League with four goals in nine appearances.
Lampard spoke about Hudson-Odoi's recovery last week and was excited at the prospect of welcoming the 18-year-old back into the team.
'He's getting closer,' Lampard said. 'He's trained the last week or two with the Under-23s and is looking good.
'There is going to be a period of conditioning work for him. The injury looks good, which is the great news.
'Then he's going to have to be fitter than he's ever been because I'm going to want him to run.'
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