The international break has come at the right time for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino's men are without a number of players due to injuries at the moment, but the list is gradually decreasing.

Christopher Nkunku is one player who will be hoping to return to action after being since pre-season. The forward has been sidelined with a knee injury but is back in first team training.

Levi Colwill is another who will be hoping to be OK for next weekend's Premier League trip to Newcastle United. The defender was forced to withdraw from the England squad with a shoulder injury after missing Sunday's 4-4 draw with Manchester City.

Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are among the players still recovering from respective injuries. With that said, here's a look at the latest injury news and possible return dates for those that are currently sidelined.

Christopher Nkunku

Nkunku is still yet to play a competitive game for Chelsea following his transfer from RB Leipzig in the summer. The 26-year-old was dealt a major blow to his knee during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

He has taken his recovery programme to the next level and, for the very first time since the summer, Nkunku has been spotted outside on the training pitches at Cobham in his Chelsea gear. Pochettino has also revealed that the Frenchman is targeting an ambitious return soon after the international break.

READ MORE:Four things Premier League points deduction could mean for Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino

READ MORE:Mauricio Pochettino can solve three Chelsea issues by beating Newcastle to £70m transfer

Earlier this week, Nkunku posted a cryptic message on social media. 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*."

What Pochettino has said: "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'. It is close and he is doing really well. We are so happy with him, the way he is recovering, he is very professional."

Possible return date: Newcastle United (A) - Saturday, November 25

Levi Colwill

Colwill missed Sunday's game due to a shoulder injury, football.london understands. The 20-year-old had started all 11 of the Blues' opening Premier League games of the season season after returning from his successful loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion.

The defender was named in the England squad but later pulled out due to injury.

What Pochettino has said: "I don't know, Jesus, how is Levi? [press officer: we'll update in the next 24 hours]."

Possible return date: Newcastle United (A) - Saturday, November 25

Romeo Lavia

On Friday afternoon, Lavia posted a selfie to his Instagram story. The youngster also accompanied the image with a picture of his tied football boots, with a smiley face and blue heart emoji as his caption.

Lavia has been nursing an ankle issue since he arrived at Stamford Bridge and he's still yet to make his debut for the Blues. Last month, the Belgian was dealt a major setback on his road to recovery, pushing his return date back to late November, maybe December.

What Pochettino said: "Romeo Lavia is also close. They trained today on the pitch. Hope that next week will be involved with the team and see after. Day by day see when it is possible to play with the team."

Possible return date: December.

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah has been nursing a thigh injury and is still yet to feature for Chelsea this season.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka picked up a knock ahead of the game with Arsenal and then made the bench against Burnley, but the midfielder has since been hit with another setback. He has struggled with a knee problem which he suffered against West Ham earlier in the campaign.

Possible return date: Unknown

Ben Chilwell

Chilwell suffered a knock towards the end of Chelsea's clash with Brighton in the Carabao Cup at the end of September. Unfortunately for the Blues defender, the club quickly realised that the muscle issue was worse than first thought and, more than a month later, he's still out of action.

What Pochettino said: "I can not tell you [when he will be back]. It is difficult to know. He is away from the training ground now and we will wait for him to come back to see the situation. Hopefully, he can recover as soon as possible."

Possible return date: December

Wesley Fofana

Fofana is set to miss most of the season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season training ahead of the tour of America. Yet, while it remains to be seen when he will return, he's posted a promising update to his Instagram story. Without a caption, Fofana is seen lying down on a gym mat at Cobham training ground conducting a test on his right thigh.

Possible return date: April 2024