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Liam Delap could make his comeback sooner than anticipated. The 22-year-old striker, whom Chelsea signed from Ipswich Town for £30m during the summer transfer window, picked up a hamstring problem in the Blues' 2-0 win over Fulham just before the international break.

Addressing journalists at Stamford Bridge following the match, Enzo Maresca delivered a concerning initial verdict. The Chelsea manager said: "Liam's injury doesn't look good in terms of, he was full speed, hamstring, so that requires, like always, weeks.

"And then in terms of another striker, to be honest, we just finished the game from the changing room and came here for the press conference, so now after, when we finish, we're going to sit and we'll see if we take any decision. That's all."

After Maresca's post-match press conference, Chelsea swiftly recalled Marc Guiu from Sunderland, where he was supposed to stay on loan for the season. Thankfully for Delap, his setback isn't as severe as initially feared.

According to The Athletic, the England Under-21 international is anticipated to rejoin training during November, with no operation necessary. The report claims that Delap could be back in contention for selection prior to the festive period.

Despite making just a limited number of appearances for Chelsea, he's already got his hands on some silverware. Delap contributed to the Blues' Club World Cup glory during the summer, finding the net against Esperance in the group phase.

Speaking to journalists in the United States ahead of the tournament, Maresca heaped praise on the English player. The Chelsea manager said: "He knows exactly what we can give him, and I know what Liam can give us.

"The season we were together, we won the Under-21 competition for the first time for Man City and he scored 24 goals. So it's a win-win, and the conversation before he joined was an easy conversation. We like Liam, Liam likes us. So it was easy.'".

"When we faced Ipswich, when Liam wasn't a Chelsea player, I said that for me, he can potentially be England's No.9. That was when he wasn't even with us. For sure, now he is with us, I will say again I don't have any doubt he can be a future England No.9."

Discussing competition for a spot in the starting lineup, Maresca added: "I never say to a player they will be first choice. The message is the same: you arrive, you work hard, you work more than, in this case, the other number nines, and you can be the first choice.

"The conversation with Liam was quite clear; he was keen to join us because he knows how we play. Liam knows quite well how important the number nine is. Personally, I don't see any problem about that; Liam is quite relaxed and easy.

"He has done well since he arrived and is working well. We know each other from years ago, so I know what he can give us, and he knows what we can give to him to help him improve to become a better player.

"Hopefully, in terms of the No.9, he can score goals for us."

Delap continued his pre-season form by scoring twice in a 4-1 friendly victory over AC Milan. However, just as he seemed poised to secure a spot in the starting lineup, he was sidelined with a muscle injury.