CHELSEA are set to be handed a boost with Callum Hudson-Odoi reportedly set to return to match action this week.
The England international winger has been out of action since April after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
That has prevented new Blues boss Frank Lampard from being able to deploy the 18-year-old livewire in his attack so far in his reign.
However, Goal claim the Bayern Munich target may be back in a Chelsea shirt as early as Friday.
They state he could feature in Chelsea’s Under-23 side’s clash with Brighton.
His return would provide a shot in the arm to Lampard after a mixed start in the dug-out for the Stamford Bridge hero.
And it could be a double-whammy on the Hudson-Odoi front for the West London giants.
The forward is believed to be close to finally committing his future to Chelsea and signing a new long-term deal with the club.
BLUES FEARS
Hudson-Odoi had initially decided against remaining at Chelsea after becoming frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities under former manager Maurizio Sarri.
That led to Bayern making three bids for the youngster, who is in the final year of his current contract.
The Three Lions ace even handed in a transfer request in January to trigger a move to the Bundesliga champions, which Chelsea refused.
But the arrival of Lampard as boss, which has seen several other academy products given a chance to impress, has helped convince Hudson-Odoi the best thing for his development could now be to remain with the Blues.
NEW DEAL
And as the teenager nears a return to first team action after injury, the Express report he is also closing in on reaching agreement on a £180,000-a-week five year deal.
At the same time the club are also making a concerted effort to ensure a trio of other youngsters are tied down to long contracts.
Tammy Abraham's impressive start to the new season, which has seen him score four Premier League goals in four games, is likely to be rewarded with improved terms now he is a recognised first team player.
There are also talks planned with defender Fikayo Tomori, who has forced his way into the first team squad this season under Lampard.
And teenage right-back Reece James is another they want to hand a long-term contract to, believing he will establish himself as a first team star this season.
James has missed the opening month of the season through injury but there is a belief he will soon be challenging for a starting role in the side.
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