Chelsea’s Zouma eyes return to action

Kurt Zouma has told Chelsea’s website he hopes to return to action “in six weeks or a couple of months”.

The Blues defender, 21, suffered cruciate knee ligament damage against Manchester United in February.

He recently resumed light training and, with his recovery ahead of schedule, is optimistic that he will soon be available for selection.

Zouma said: “I will need to discuss that with the manager and the medical team.

“I’m not fit enough yet but hopefully in six weeks or a couple of months I will be. We will have to wait and see.”

Zouma’s injury came as he was establishing himself as a first-team player at Chelsea, who signed him on loan from St Etienne in January 2014.

It also destroyed his hopes of being in the France squad for this summer’s European Championship.

“It’s been really hard but if you’re strong mentally you can do anything,” Zouma said.

“It’s football – lots of players have had big injuries and been out for a while.

“It’s important to stay positive in your mind and say to yourself: ‘Okay, I’ve been unlucky to get a bad injury but I will come back stronger’. You have to be determined.

“I watched the Euros on TV with my family and there were a few days when I went out, but generally I’ve just been working hard to get fit.”