Ruben return boosts Blues

CHELSEA are hoping Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be ready to return to action next month, a development likely to impact their January transfer plans. The 23-year-old England midfielder, who ruptured an achilles tendon in May, has posted a progress video showing him being put through his paces. A fit-again Loftus-Cheek will be a boost for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard for the second half of the season — he scored 10 goals and contributed five assists in his 40 appearances last season. Their transfer ban lifted, Chelsea’s main aim during January is to bring in a new striker, having been reliant so far this campaign on Tammy Abraham’s 13 goals. Lyon’s Moussa Dembele and RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner have been watched by Chelsea scouts. Beyond that, striker Olivier Giroud, winger Pedro and left back Marcos Alonso’s futures are in doubt, with all of them having struggled for game time this season.