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Football London
Football London
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Bobby Vincent

Kai Havertz return, Romelu Lukaku boost - Things spotted in Chelsea training ahead of Man United

Chelsea will be looking to continue their fine form this weekend as they take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table after the opening 12 games of the season, but with Manchester City and Liverpool both playing before them this weekend, the west Londoners will be desperate to come out with maximum points.

United play their first league match since sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last weekend - with caretaker manager Michael Carrick set to take charge on Sunday.

Chelsea go into the clash as huge favourites given the contrasting form between the two sides, but Thomas Tuchel will be desperate to guard against complacency.

With all this being said, football.london takes a look at what we could see from the images released from Friday's training session at Cobham.

Havertz returns

Kai Havertz was absent from Chelsea's comfortable victory over Juventus in midweek after picking up a hamstring injury against Leicester City last weekend.

However, the Germany international was pictured in training on Friday and could make his return to action on Sunday against United.

Tuchel did not address Havertz's injury in his pre-match press conference on Friday, but judging by the images, the German attacker could be in contention to feature at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

Kai Havertz back in Chelsea training (Getty Images)

Lukaku boost

Like Havertz, Romelu Lukaku was a welcome returnee to Chelsea training on Friday, with the Belgium international edging closer to playing once again.

Lukaku has been sidelined for over a month with an ankle problem after suffering the injury against Malmo in October's home Champions League victory.

The 28-year-old striker, though, was pictured battling with Antonio Rudiger for possession as he nears his return to first-team action.

Tuchel did concede that it would be unlikely for Lukaku to start against United on Sunday, though, when speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Romelu Lukaku was training with his Chelsea team-mates ahead of the clash with Manchester United (Getty Images)

High spirits all round

There seemed to be high spirits at Cobham on Friday - and why not? Chelsea are top of the Premier League.

Jorginho laughing in Chelsea training (Getty Images)

Jorginho could be seen with a beaming smile on his face, while Hakim Ziyech was also involved in the photo looking happy.

Tuchel will be hoping that his players have similar expressions on their faces come Sunday evening, but the Blues must be slightly wary of the possibility of the 'new manager bounce' that is often apparent in the Premier League.

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