Chelsea 'will not rush Nkunku back from injury' despite his keenness to play

Christopher Nkunku is desperate to make his Chelsea debut against Newcastle on Saturday - but the Blues reportedly won't rush the £52million striker's return from a serious knee injury.

The France forward suffered the meniscus injury, which required surgery, playing for Chelsea against Borussia Dortmund in pre-season having completed his move from RB Leipzig.

Nkunku, 26, is training on the grass at Cobham with manager Mauricio Pochettino saying recently he is 'really close' to being match fit.

According to the Daily Mirror, Nkunku wants to prove his fitness ahead of next weekend but Chelsea's medical staff plan to phase him back in gradually.

That may mean Nkunku finally makes his competitive debut in one of Chelsea's early December fixtures, with Brighton, Manchester United and Everton on the agenda within the space of a week.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's 4-4 draw with Manchester City last time out, Pochettino said: 'We had some conversation and he [Nkunku] said to me, 'Coach, want to be ready for after the international break - Newcastle.'

'I asked him yesterday and he said 'hmmm', and I said 'you are a liar'. 'No I am ready.'

'It is close and he is doing really well. We are so happy with him, the way he is recovering, he is very professional.

'Romeo Lavia is also close [to a return]. They trained today on the pitch. I hope that next week they will be involved with the team and we'll see after.

'Day-by-day we will see when it is possible to play with the team.'

Chelsea are hoping Nkunku, who signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge back in July, replicates his impressive scoring form for Leipzig in recent seasons.

He netted 35 goals in 52 appearances for the German club during the 2021-22 campaign, following that up with 23 in 36 games last season.

Chelsea have at least started to find the net in recent games, scoring eight times in their last two against Tottenham and Man City, following early season struggles.

Nicolas Jackson, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Spurs, has scored seven so far this season, with Raheem Sterling contributing five and Cole Palmer four.