N'Golo Kante is part of Chelsea's squad that has travelled to Abu Dhabi, even though he still faces three months on the sidelines.
The French midfielder is one of 25 players the Blues have revealed have flown for warm weather training, the club confirmed on Monday.
Chelsea are playing Unai Emery's Aston Villa in a friendly at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday, in which the winners will win the Al Wahda Challenge Cup.
Abu Dhabi was the site of Chelsea's successful World Club Cup win earlier in the year.
While Kante, 31, is still recovering following a hamstring operation in October, he remains part of the team which has flown out there.
The former Leicester City man has not played since mid-August, and has yet to feature for a Graham Potter side after his installation as manager in September.
But he remains part of the trip to work on his rehabilitation surrounded by his teammates.
It is a largely youthful travelling group, although senior players without World Cup duties are involved in their visit to the Middle East.
Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have also travelled with Chelsea despite carrying injuries.
After a knee injury which ruled him out of England's World Cup squad, 22-year-old James is close to recovering, and could feature in Sunday's match.
Chilwell also missed out on Gareth Southgate's squad with a hamstring issue, but has travelled with the Blues to Abu Dhabi.
Knee problems have left Fofana on the sidelines, while Loftus-Cheek has been suffering with a calf issue. All will be hoping the domestic break has given them time to get back to full fitness.
Chelsea return to Premier League action on December 27 when they host AFC Bournemouth.