Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that striker Liam Delap should be in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Wolves on Wednesday evening.
The 22-year-old has not played since picking up a serious hamstring injury against Fulham in late August, but speaking in his press conference ahead of the Sunderland fixture, Maresca said that Delap was involved in training on Thursday and he is on course to return to first-team action very soon:
“Liam took part in the session with the team for the first time. So, he’s not going to be available for tomorrow’s game but probably for the next one…”
“He can be available [to face Wolves]. The schedule can change a little bit, it depends on how they improve or getting worse. The first time they (the medical team) said to me that he could be available for the 25th October.”
Delap was expected to be sidelined for longer
The initial prognosis for the forward’s injury was three months, and there was an expectation that it would take several weeks on top of that to get back to match fitness.
Most Read on Chelsea News
A comeback after the November international week was pencilled in, but it seems he will be in contention a lot earlier than predicted.
The latest Chelsea injury news
Maresca also revealed that there were no new injury concerns following the 5-1 win over Ajax midweek. That means there are now only 4 first-team players on the treatment table.
Cole Palmer is the next player scheduled to return to action. The 23-year-old will need at least another 5 weeks before making his comeback from a niggling groin injury.
Benoit Badiashile is out until December with a muscular problem, while Dario Essugo (thigh) and Levi Colwill (ACL) are long-term absentees.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here