WESLEY FOFANA is expected to make his return to the Chelsea squad tonight – despite initially being ruled out for the season.
The 24-year-old has been absent since picking up a hamstring injury against Aston Villa at the start of December.
Wesley Fofana is set to return for Chelsea tonight against Southampton[/caption]
The defender has been unavailable since December 1 with a hamstring injury[/caption]
It was first reported that he would remain out of action for around five weeks.
However, head coach Enzo Maresca then admitted that he could miss the rest of the season.
Despite the initial concern, Fofana did not require surgery on the hamstring issue.
And he is now set to make his return to the pitch – months earlier than expected.
According to French outlet RMC Sport, the defender is expected to be named in the Chelsea squad for tonight’s match against Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
Fofana has been limited to just 12 appearances for Chelsea this season due to injury.
Tonight’s meeting between Chelsea and Southampton is crucial for Maresca, with the Blues competing for Champions League football.
If they drop points in their next two Premier League games – the second being against Leicester City – ex-Arsenal star and pundit Paul Merson is convinced that the head coach’s job will be at risk.
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He said: “If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there.
“They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester.
“So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job.
“Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition.
“They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is.
“All the seven-year contracts and these players are not getting any better. How many of them have been a major success?”
