Liam Delap could make his Chelsea return in next week’s Carabao Cup meeting with Wolves, head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The striker had been expected to be out until December with the hamstring injury he sustained during the win over Fulham in August, but that schedule has been dramatically revised.
There had been a hope amongst the club’s medical staff that the £30million summer signing from Ipswich could feature in Saturday’s game against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, but the trip to Molineux is now thought to be more realistic.
“Liam took part yesterday with the team for the first time,” said Maresca. “He’s not going to be available for tomorrow’s game but probably for the next one.
“The schedule can change, it depends how they improve or get worse. First time they said he could be available for October 25. (Next week) he can be available.”
Maresca has cycled amongst options at number nine in Delap’s absence with fellow new recruit Joao Pedro one player used in the role, while academy graduate Tyrique George has also been deployed.
Teenage striker Marc Guiu was recalled from Sunderland in the days following Delap’s injury and he scored his first goal of the season in Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax, though Maresca said he is only now getting what he expects from the 19-year-old.
“I had a chat with Marc two weeks ago, I told him that the way he was training I didn’t like and he needs to change,” he said. “He changed and he got a chance (against Ajax). Easy like that.
“He was not training well. In all ways. I don’t know (why). Young players, sometimes you need to go slowly, slowly with them. Since we chatted, he’s top, he’s fantastic, he’s working very good.
“Absolutely he’s ready to start.”
