Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has said that Baba Rahman is currently struggling to recover from a serious knee injury but hopes to see the left-back return to the first team.

Rahman has been sidelined since January after suffering the injury while on international duty with Ghana, and the 23-year-old is still some way off an appearance for the Blues.

However, Conte has revealed that the club are ready to help Rahman - who has spent time on loan with Schalke 04 - make the next step in his recovery.

The 48-year-old told reporters: "He's struggling a bit to recover the best form. To be honest, I don't know what's happening with Baba. For sure, from the human aspect, I'd like to give him an opportunity to come back stronger like before. I think that now he has to face recovery.

"He's showing great patience as he's struggling a lot. I don't know what's happening with Baba. If I can help him, I'm ready to help him.

"There's the player and the human aspect. It's good for him to stay here and take the right time to recover. We are ready."

Rahman has only made 23 appearances for Chelsea since the West Londoners paid £21.7m for his signature in 2015.