Ruben Loftus-Cheek has made a successful playing return with Chelsea's U23s.

The London Evening Standard reports the midfielder took another step forward in his recovery from Achilles ­surgery by playing 60 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly yesterday.

The 23-year-old featured for Chelsea's development squad against Brentford B in a 2-0 defeat.

The first-team squad are on their winter break but Loftus-Cheek is using the 16-day hiatus to improve his fitness, having been sidelined since May.

Should he suffer no adverse reaction, Loftus-Cheek is likely to feature in similar matches this month. Chelsea's next development squad fixture is at Arsenal on February 17.

Following the game, Loftus-Cheek posted a photo of himself in action with the caption: "Back running with the ball at my feet".