Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku has dropped a three-word hint over his possible return date from injury. The striker is yet to play under Mauricio Pochettino this season after sustaining a knee injury in pre-season.

The £52million summer signing showed glimpses of his quality in the summer with a number of impressive performances. However, he was ruled out for the first half of the season after suffering the injury against Borussia Dortmund.

Having been pictured in first-team training and a series of updates via social media, Nkunku is expected to make a return to action before 2024. Before the international break, Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino provided an encouraging update on the 26-year-old's recovery.

"We had some conversation and he said to me, 'Coach, I want to be ready for after the international break, Newcastle'. I asked him yesterday and he said 'hmmm', and I said 'you are liar'. 'No, no I am ready'," Pochettino said.

"It is close and he is doing really well. We are so happy with him, the way he is recovering, he is very professional."

Supporters will be hoping that Nkunku is fit enough to make the squad for next weekend's trip to Newcastle United. And after celebrating his birthday on Tuesday, the forward dropped a hint over his return to action.

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Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: "Thank you all for your messages *praying emoji* *birthday cake emoji* big love *red love heart*. See you soon *fingers crossed emoji* *red balloon emoji*."

Should the trip to St James' Park come too soon for the forward, the home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion could be earmarked as his competitive debut. If his return is further delayed, a trip to Old Trafford may be the game.