Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa is closing in on a return to first-team football.
Injury-ravaged right-back close to make first-team return
Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa is closing in on a return to first-team football.
The Portugal international has not featured for the Blues since October 2009 due to knee trouble.
But Bosingwa, 28, is back in training and is set to be named in the squad to face Aston Villa next weekend.
And he could be joined by England midfielder Frank Lampard and Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou, with the pair battling against groin and thigh problems respectively.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, meanwhile, has urged for patience from the fans after the club responded from back-to-back losses to notch two wins on the spin.
"The season has started well and although we suffered two losses on the bounce, I believe the team is capable of bouncing back and we showed that against Marseille and Arsenal," said Essien.
Patient
"All I will ask is for the fans to be patient with us when the going gets tough. The season is long and there will be ups and downs but as long as the fans are there with us during the downs as well as the ups, I have no doubt we will be fine.
"We were delighted with how the Arsenal game went. We had to do our fair share of defending but I think we defended well and my only regret is I didn't add to my three goals this season when I had a good chance at the end.
"One thing I will say though is that goals are sweet to score and I want more of it. I will keep trying and no doubt I will score more goals this season."
