Chelsea injury news: Kurt Zouma nearing return after 45-minute outing in U23s draw against Derby County

Recovery: Kurt Zouma is set to return to Chelsea action before Christmas
AFP/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj25 October 2016

Kurt Zouma is edging closer to returning to action for Chelsea after the defender played 45 minutes in the development team's 2-2 draw with Derby County on Monday night.

The Frenchman has been sidelined since suffering knee ligament damage in Chelsea's 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United in February, which required surgery that ruled him out of the latter stages of last season and this summer's European Championships.

The 21-year-old has been building up his fitness levels since, and got his first taste of action in eight months when Chelsea's Under-23s side hosted Derby on Monday.

Zouma, who turns 22 later this week, started the game in Aldershot but conceded a penalty in the first-half, which the visitors subsequently converted.

The centre-back was then replaced by Dujon Sterling at the break, but Chelsea's development squad went on to haul themselves back into the contest and eventually secure a 2-2 draw.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Manchester United | 23/10/2016

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Despite his fine form alongside captain John Terry last season, Zouma may initially find it hard to break back into Chelsea's starting team - with coach Antonio Conte having switched to a three-man defence in recent weeks.

Speaking about Zouma's injury recently, Conte said: "It's important that Zouma takes his time to be sure to go into the team and to stay till the end.

"For me it's important to see that he is improving and I am very happy for the guy.

"His injury was very, very bad."

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