Kurt Zouma suggests he could be back in action with Chelsea by the end of the year.
The 21-year-old defender sustained a serious knee injury against Manchester United in February and was initially expected to miss up to 12 months.
But the former Saint-Etienne star, who was ruled out of France's Euro2016 campaign this summer, is back on his feet and looking to return before the turn of 2016.
"I don't know when I'll be back out on the pitch but everything's going well," he told The Sun.
"I'm kicking the ball around a bit, I'm not in any pain and I feel good."
When asked if he may make a comeback before the end of 2016, he added: "I hope so, I think I've got enough time to be ready. But I don't have a precise date."