Chelsea will soon be boosted by the return of Kurt Zouma.

The 22-year-old French defender is set to start for the Blues' U23 side in Tuesday night's EFL Trophy clash with Oxford United at Stamford Bridge.

Zouma is expected to be play for most of the encounter in a 3-4-3 formation so he can continue becoming accustomed to Antonio Conte's game style.

The former Saint-Etienne young gun has been sidelined with a knee injury since February but has played twice for the U23's and is building his match fitness in order to be available for selection after the international break.

Conte currently has David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill in his back three while Marcos Alonso can also drop back from his wing-back role, meaning Zouma will have to put in a brilliant display on Tuesday if he is to be considered for the trip to Middlesbrough on November 20.