Loftus-Cheek 'plays 60 minutes in behind closed doors friendly for Chelsea'

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is edging closer to a return to first-team action with Chelsea after playing 60 minutes in a friendly on Tuesday.

The England international midfielder has been out of action since May after he ruptured the achilles tendon in his left leg playing in a post-season friendly against New England Revolution.

But he now looks set to hand Frank Lampard a major boost heading into the final few months of the season after playing for the first time in nearly nine months.

According to The Athletic, Loftus-Cheek started for Chelsea's development squad against a Brentford B side and lasted an hour, showing no sign of the injury during the game at Cobham.

Loftus-Cheek's recovery has been slowed down by a number of setbacks and required longer to heal than the similar injury suffered by teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi.

It is claimed Loftus-Cheek now feels pain-free after making a major breakthrough in his rehabiliation.

The 24-year-old is now expected to continue training at Cobham during this month's winter break before playing more regularly for Chelsea's development side.

Chelsea's medical department are yet to put a rigid time frame on his return to first-team action, however.