Hudson-Odoi back in training – and is told he’ll need to be extra-fit

Callum Hudson-Odoi has stepped up his comeback from injury by training with the rest of the Chelsea squad on Tuesday morning.

Hudson-Odoi is working his way back from an Achilles tendon rupture, as is Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The teenager’s return to training is a big boost for Blues boss Frank Lampard, who is hoping to have him back fit as soon as possible.

And Hudson-Odoi will certainly need to be fit as Lampard’s style of play demands plenty of work from his front players.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Lampard said: “He’s getting closer. He’s trained the last week or two with the Under-23s and he’s looking good.

“The injury looks good, which is the great news. There is going to be a period of conditioning work for him. He’s going to have to be fitter than he’s ever been – because I’m going to want him to run!

“It’s good news for us. It’s slightly gone amiss with the transfer ban and the obsession with young players, but we are missing six players from the squad, including Reece James – big players for the squad. As they are coming back it’s going to make us stronger.”

The same message has also been given to out-of-favour striker Michy Batshuayi, who scored twice for Chelsea’s Under-23s against Liverpool on Monday night.

Lampard said: “With Michy it’s important that he trains at a top, top level every day, gets himself absolutely fit to play the way I want my strikers to play, which will be constant movement – on and off the ball.”