Callum Hudson-Odoi has handed Frank Lampard and Chelsea a huge boost after finally returning to training with the rest of the first team.
Picking up an Achilles injury in the 2-2 draw against Burnley back in April, the winger has spent the past couple of months back at Cobham trying to work his way back to fitness.
The head coach was quizzed about the youngster's return at his pre-match press conference ahead of last Sunday's game against Leicester City and he provided a positive update.
"He is getting closer, he has trained over the last week or two with the Under-23s, there is going to be a period of conditioning work for him," he said.
"The injury looks good which is great news.
"Then he is going to have to be fitter than he has ever been because I want him to run."
Asked when exactly he would return to the fold, he said: "Probably next month, considering the international break.
"Maybe it has fallen at a good time for us, so we can see how he is getting on with his conditioning training.
"It is good news for us."
Spotted on the training pitch at Cobham with the rest of the first team on Tuesday, Hudson-Odoi was back out there again with his teammates on Wednesday as he took part in an open training session at Stamford Bridge.
While Saturday's away trip to Norwich City will come too soon for him as he looks to make his return, when he does take his place in the squad for the first time this season it will give Lampard a real selection dilemma.
Here we take a look at the options available to the manager once Hudson-Odoi is fit and firing again.
Right wing
Hudson-Odoi played on the right wing a number of times last season with Eden Hazard the main man on the opposite flank.
Pedro has so far started on the right for all three of Chelsea's opening games and he has caught the eye with his direct displays.
Willian is now back from the knee injury he suffered at the Copa America and he is also an option for the head coach, although he will want to forget about his nightmare appearance against Leicester at the weekend.
While it may not be Hudson-Odoi's strongest position on the right, he proved last year that he can make a big impact and he will add to the fierce competition once he returns.
Attacking midfield
Another possible position the 18-year-old can play in is behind the striker.
Mason Mount currently is leading the race to play as a No.10 and at the moment he is simply undroppable.
As well as Ross Barkley played in pre-season as he netted four times, he had to make do with a place on the bench against Leicester.
There's also Ruben Loftus-Cheek to throw into the mix once he himself returns from the Achilles injury he suffered in the team's post-season friendly in the United States.
While playing as a No.10 is most definitely an option for the player, Lampard will look to use him on one of the flanks.
Left wing
Hudson-Odoi has a real fight on his hands to start in his favoured position on the left.
New signing Christian Pulisic is currently the man in possession of the shirt at present and it's hard to see Lampard dropping the United States international on current form.
Pulisic has made a decent start to his Chelsea career and he will only get better once he fully gets used to life in the Premier League.
Kenedy is also an option for the head coach, yet, providing that he remains at the club beyond the European transfer deadline, he will only be a backup option on the wing and at left-back.
Lampard has plenty of options available in all three positions and he definitely is going to have a major selection headache on his hands over the coming months.
