Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been back in training with the teammates who remained during the international break as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury.

The Senegal international was rested for the final game of the Thomas Tuchel era against Dinamo Zagreb before being left out completely in Graham Potter’s debut as a result of the issue, which he is understood to have picked up in the 2-1 win over West Ham at the start of the month.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has stepped in to replace Mendy in the past two games but Potter is now expected to have the option to recall the Blues’ usual number one for their trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Evening Standard state that Mendy jetted off to France to meet up with his Senegal teammates earlier this week before returning to a small training session with the Chelsea players who were not called up by their international sides.

There has also been another boost for Potter during the break as forward Christian Pulisic was confirmed to have avoided an injury while away with the United States.

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Pulisic picked up a knock in training and sat out Friday’s meeting with Japan, but manager Gregg Berhalter has since confirmed his omission was purely precautionary and Pulisic will indeed start against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

As an added boost for Potter, veteran defender Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to be left out of the Spain squad to face Portugal, preserving his fitness ahead of the Palace game.

Elsewhere, midfielder N’Golo Kante was put through some individual drills as he continues his quest to return from his latest muscle injury, which has kept him out since Chelsea’s second game of the campaign against Tottenham.



Credit: 90min.com

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