Chelsea have shared a positive update on Mason Mount's recovery from injury as he bids to return for the Blues' final game of the season.
The 24-year-old, who is expected to head for the Stamford Bridge exit door at the end of the campaign, has been missing for Chelsea's last four Premier League fixtures with a pelvic problem.
The issue initially began giving him grief in March, as he was forced to miss England's opening Euro 2024 qualifiers with Italy and Ukraine, despite being called up to the Three Lions squad.
Mount returned to the matchday squad against Aston Villa and Liverpool before making his comeback as a substitute in Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on April 15, but he swiftly re-entered the infirmary and went under the knife to correct the problem.
Acting head coach Frank Lampard conceded that the midfielder's injury could potentially rule him out until the end of the season, raising fears that he had played his final game in a Chelsea shirt.
MM19 back on the grass. 💪 pic.twitter.com/fzXVk4JCgA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 15, 2023
However, there is now renewed hope that Mount could be back in action before the campaign concludes, as he has been pictured with the ball at his feet at Chelsea's Cobham training base.
The 24-year-old was only seen training individually, though, and he is highly unlikely to be considered for selection for Sunday's trip to Manchester City, who could win the title by beating the Blues.
The Blues' penultimate fixture with Manchester United could also come too soon for Mount, but he may be able to force his way back into contention for the visit of Newcastle United on the final day on May 28.
Amid his troublesome pelvic injury and increasing competition for starts in Chelsea's attacking line, Mount has only come up with three goals and six assists in 35 games during a disrupted 2022-23 season.
The England international has just three goals and two assists to show from 24 games in the English top flight, but he has not started a Premier League contest since February's home defeat to Southampton.
© Reuters
Mount's contract at Stamford Bridge only runs until the summer of 2024, and a summer exit from his boyhood club is seemingly on the cards after negotiations over an extension hit a standstill.
The playmaker was allegedly after a deal that would have brought him in line with the club's highest earners, but Chelsea were not willing to sanction such a wage increase and instead offered him the security of a longer-term contract.
As a result, relations between Mount's entourage and the club are believed to have hit an all-time low, and the club are expected to give the green light to a summer sale in order to avoid losing him for nothing next year, despite Mauricio Pochettino's intention to reignite talks when he takes over as manager.
Liverpool are regarded as the favourites to sign the Chelsea man in a deal that could reach £70m, ending Mount's 18-year stay in West London, where he has amassed 33 goals and 37 assists in 195 appearances.
The midfielder has won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea, but the Blues are set for a campaign without European football next season as they languish in 12th place in the Premier League table.
Ben Knapton
