Chelsea striker Liam Delap is expected to resume training in November and is likely to make his comeback soon before the busy Christmas Eve fixture schedule.
Delap sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Fulham and does not require surgery. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately 10 weeks from the date of the injury.
Delap was injured in the first half of Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Fulham on August 30 and was substituted by Tyreik George. After the match, head coach Enzo Maresca stated that he feared Delap would be out for up to eight weeks.
The injury to the England U21 international led Chelsea to recall Mark Geeu, who was originally scheduled to be loaned to Sunderland for a season.
Delap will miss the opening phase of Chelsea's Champions League group stage matches, which includes an away game against Bayern Munich on September 17. Additionally, Maresca's side will face Premier League champions Liverpool on October 4 and travel to take on Tottenham Hotspur on November 1.
Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town in early summer for a fee of £30 million. He has made six appearances and scored one goal for his new club in the FIFA Club World Cup, and has started twice in Chelsea's first three Premier League matches of the season.
Beyond Delap, Chelsea also signed João Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the Club World Cup. The Brazilian player has so far featured in the No. 10 role, No. 9 position, and on the left flank under Maresca.
Chelsea will return to action after the international break on Saturday, facing Brentford.
