Antonio Conte hopeful of Kurt Zouma training return

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has said that Kurt Zouma could take the next step to a return from injury next week by taking part in training with the first team.

Zouma has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury in January, but while providing updates on the fitness of Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic, Conte revealed that Zouma was scheduled to improve his workload over the next seven days.

The 47-year-old told reporters: "Fabregas had a small muscular injury in a strange part of his body. I hope he will be back very soon.

"Ivanovic is also recovering. Zouma came back to training with the U21s this week, next week I want him to join us."

Zouma has made 58 appearances for Chelsea since his transfer from Saint-Etienne in January 2014.