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The Blues could be handed some injury encouragement after a disappointing start to pre-season.
Chelsea duo Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Nicolas Jackson are nearing their return to first-team action after recovering from injury.
When will Dewsbury-Hall and Jackson return from injury?
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According to The Athletic, midfielder Dewsbury-Hall, who joined the Blues from Leicester City earlier this summer, is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ankle problem and could make his debut for the club as early as Thursday’s friendly against CF America.
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Jackson, a summer signing from Villarreal, has been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained on international duty with Senegal in a World Cup qualifier against Congo in June.
While his return is expected to be slightly delayed, he is in contention to feature in the final game of Chelsea's US tour against Real Madrid.
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Meanwhile, Dewsbury-Hall has praised Maresca and believes the Italian will surprise critics in the forthcoming campaign.
“Will he (Maresca) surprise people? Definitely,” the summer arrival told The Athletic. “Look, I do not want to be banging on saying we’re going to be doing this or that — he is almost unknown to a lot of people — but I can go off working with him and say my opinions and I think he is top, top level.
“Within a week (of Maresca starting work at Leicester last summer) all the players were sold. I was convinced. I am getting the same feedback here (at Chelsea) with the lads.”
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The Chelsea man was compared to the Arsenal and Manchester United forwards.
What comes next?
Dewsbury-Hall and Jackson’s availability will be a welcome boost for new Maresca as he looks to build momentum within the squad ahead of the Premier League season.
The Blues have played out a draw against Wrexham and were beaten by Celtic in their previous pre-season fixture.
Chelsea play CF America on Thursday in their third friendly of the off-season.
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