Ruben Loftus-Cheek made a successful playing return for Chelsea in yesterday's intra-club game.
Loftus-Cheek has endured a nightmare year after suffering an Achilles injury in a post-season friendly against New England Revolution in May 2019.
He returned to training in late January and was on track to return to full fitness, being named twice on the bench before the coronavirus lockdown, reports the Daily Express.
Loftus-Cheek participated in contact training as Phase One progressed to Phase Two but it is Saturday's behind-closed-doors friendly at Stamford Bridge that suggests he is nearing a return.
The first-team players were split into two sides - one wearing the home kit and the other in the away strip - with manager Frank Lampard and his coaching team officiating.
And Lampard will have been particularly pleased with Loftus-Cheek's performance as the attacking midfielder got on the scoresheet.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek in action today
Finally pic.twitter.com/PPfjjuXBki — AAZ (@AAZchelsea) June 6, 2020