Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is set to return this week.

The Sunday Mirror says the injury-hit Chelsea star has not made a first team appearance all season. But the Ghana international, who is missing his country's bid to win the African Cup of Nations, is pencilled in to appear for Chelsea's reserves in a game against West Brom reserves at Cobham on Monday.

Essien, 29, has endured injury-hit spells in the past and will have to build his match fitness.