Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has been handed a major injury boost ahead of Saturday's clash against Newcastle United.
The second international break of the season was marred with a number of fitness issues.
N'Golo Kante had to withdraw from the France starting line-up against Iceland last Friday and then sat out the 1-1 draw with Turkey, Mateo Kovavic limped out of Croatia's draw with Wales and Andreas Christensen picked up an hamstring problem whilst playing for Denmark.
However, it's not all bad news or the Blues head coach.
Emerson Palmieri is in line to make his first appearance since suffering an hamstring injury of his own during the 2-1 home loss at the hands of Liverpool late last month.
The Italy international returned to training on Wednesday, thus handing Lampard a huge boost with games against Newcastle, Ajax and Manchester United on the horizon.
And it would appear that Emerson is raring to go.
Taking to social media, he shared a simple eight-word message with Chelsea supporters.
"Good to be back training with the lads!," he tweeted.
Emerson's return is indeed bang on schedule.
When speaking ahead of the 2-0 win over Brighton about when the defender would be available again, Lampard did say after the international break.
"Emerson is going to be the other side of the international break with the hamstring injury," said the Chelsea boss.
But whether Emerson is handed an immediate recall remains to be seen.
Marcos Alonso has done well in his absence and the Blues have won all four games in which the Spanish left-back has started following that home loss to the current Premier League leaders.
