Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that midfielder Michael Essien is close to a return from injury.
The Ghana international has been sidelined since pre-season following a serious knee injury.
"I think mid-January," said Villas-Boas. "He will be introduced to first-team activity in mid-January and contention properly I think we are looking at three weeks for him to gain form and start competing to the level that the others are.
"It could take less time if we are positive about it and maybe in two weeks he can reach that level of form to come back for the team."
Chelsea continue their Premier League campaign at home to Aston Villa on New Year's Eve.
