Lavia and Nkunku are back in training - but Chelsea fans will have to be patient

Chelsea are starting to look like a team again. For a while, the Blues were a laughing stock, but they are showing signs of improvement. And they will probably look even better when they finally get French forward Christopher Nkunku back playing. It will take a bit more time - but the good news is he and Romeo Lavia re back on the training pitch!

You have to feel sorry for the Chelsea fans, who are forced to await injury and fitness updates almost as eagerly as games. Defenders Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto have returned from their injuries, which they sustained during international duty with England and France's Under-21s. Colwill had a shoulder problem, while Gusto had a knee injury. Their return has been a boost, and they are expected to be available for Saturday's match against Newcastle.

However, Nkunku and Romeo Lavia are still out due to their injuries. Neither Nkunku nor Lavia have made their competitive debuts for Chelsea yet, as both players suffered injuries shortly after joining the team. Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has expressed frustration over Nkunku's absence, as the 25-year-old was a key player in the team's pre-season plans. Nkunku scored three goals during the US tour before his knee injury. Thankfully, both of them are running around on the training pitch are are building up fitness levels again. Reece James, Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Armando Broja, Benoit Badiashile and Robert Sanchez have also trained this week alongside several youth players who didn't join their national teams.

James, who opted against joining Gareth Southgate's squad, has been working on his recovery from a recurring hamstring problem.

"I haven't felt this good in a long time. I definitely feel my strength and fitness building up again. Recently, I've been able to play consistently."

Pochettino and his non-international players have been given several days off. James, for instance, visited Rugby World Cup-winning South Africa captain Siya Kolisi in France. Meanwhile, injured duo Trevoh Chalobah and Marcus Bettinelli watched the Formula 1 race in Las Vegas.