Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has returned to training after spending more than six months on the sidelines.

The 31 year old German international has yet to play under new manager Avram Grant having undergone two operations on his ankle.

"On Monday he did his first training on the pitch with the reserve team," Grant enthused. "He did it very well and he has progressed very well in the last few weeks.

"We will see what happens in the next two or three weeks but he is going in the right way and of course I hope he will be available for us as soon as possible."