Chelsea get major boost as star man returns to training after six weeks out

Chelsea have been handed a major injury boost, as one of their stars 'was on the grass' this week ahead of their game against Tottenham on April 3, as per an official club announcement.

The long-term absentee has been out since early-February with a hamstring issue, which has resulted in a significant dip in form for the Blues.

Enzo Maresca's side have won four and lost three of their seven games without their star man, while Cole Palmer has also felt his team-mate's absence, failing to register a goal contribution for over six weeks.

But Chelsea will be rejuvenated by the return of star striker Nicolas Jackson, who has returned to training this week.

While many Blues stars have been away representing their nations over the international break, other have been recovering from injuries, including Palmer, Noni Madueke, Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu.

On their club website, Chelsea confirmed that Jackson is also among the many players nearing a return.

A statement read: 'Among them is striker Nicolas Jackson, who was on the grass today, and is one of those Maresca had previously stated he hoped would be close to a comeback after this international break.'

Jackson suffered his issue on February 3 in a 2-1 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had initially hoped to have him back within a week or two of his injury, but further scans revealed that it was more severe than the club had initially thought.

Jackson is Chelsea's second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League this season, with nine in 23 appearances.

He is behind only Palmer (14 goals), who is also recovering from his own injury set back. Last week, a second scan was performed on the playmaker's muscular injury which stopped him from joining up with the England national team.

When asked if Palmer could return for Chelsea's game against Tottenham next week, Maresca replied: ‘I hope so, but we need to wait for the scan.’

The Italian also acknowledged that his side will struggle for goals without their trio of Jackson, Palmer and Madueke, who were all absent for the Blues' 1-0 defeat by Arsenal before the international break.

‘It’s a huge difference,’ Maresca added. ‘If you think that the three players with the most goals for us, not one of them was inside the pitch today. It’s normal that offensively we can struggle a little bit.’