Chelsea have received a major fitness boost ahead of their return to domestic action, as Nicolas Jackson is confirmed to be training on the grass again following a hamstring injury.
The Senegal international has been sidelined since picking up the issue against West Ham United in early February, missing the Blues last eight matches across all competitions.
Chelsea's lack of offensive bite without Jackson leading the line has been exposed on a few occasions during his absence, including their 1-0 loss to Arsenal just before the international break.
Enzo Maresca's men also failed to score against Brighton & Hove Albion in February's Premier League loss without Jackson up front, in addition to only netting once against Leicester City and Copenhagen at home.
However, Maresca had expressed hope that Jackson would be fit enough to return immediately after the international period, as Chelsea prepare to take on London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on April 3.
Jackson trains as Chelsea striker steps up recovery
🚨🔵 Nicolas Jackson, back to training with Chelsea squad today and ready to be available after the break. pic.twitter.com/6R8bC5wSrD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 26, 2025
The former Villarreal man seemingly has a strong chance of making the cut next week, as Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday that he had been in training on the grass at their Cobham facility.
Delivering an update on the players currently at work at the training centre, Chelsea wrote: "Among them is striker Nicolas Jackson, who was on the grass today, and is one of those Maresca had previously stated he hoped would be close to a comeback after this international break."
The Blues also shared an image of Jackson exercising in the gym with a medicine ball, as the 23-year-old targets a return from his affliction in time for the visit of Ange Postecoglou's side next Thursday.
Jackson has slowly gone from strength to strength in a Chelsea kit and has had a direct hand in 14 goals from 23 Premier League appearances this season, nine of his own and five assists.
The Senegal international has registered a total of 26 goals and 11 assists in 68 games for the Blues since his £30.9m arrival in 2023, and he is poised to make his comeback with Chelsea sat fourth in the Premier League rankings.
What about Chelsea's other injured players?
© Imago
Jackson is one of five Chelsea players who have been in the care of the doctors of late, a list that also includes Cole Palmer, who had to withdraw from the England squad with an issue sustained in training.
Palmer had already been struggling for form before missing the slender defeat to Arsenal, although he is not believed to be suffering from anything severe and might have a chance of coming back for Spurs too.
Noni Madueke (thigh) and Marc Guiu (thigh) were also provisionally pencilled in for returns next week, but the duo are ostensibly slightly behind Jackson in their respective recoveries.
Meanwhile, luckless youngster Omari Kellyman will not play again this season due to a recurrence of a hamstring injury, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is still serving a provisional doping suspension.
Ben Knapton
