Harry Winks has just recently
returned to the first team in pre-season after over-coming ligament damage in his left ankle sustained in the game against Burnley in April, a huge bonus to the team.
And there were
returns to the first team for experienced players like Johan Djourou, Theo Walcott and Andre Santos, as well, which goes to show some great strength in depth.
Bellerin's setback is not believed to be serious, but it is still disappointing news that could result in the Arsenal star struggling for fitness on
return to first team duties.
Patrick Bamford joined Kenedy and Nathan Aké in being recalled from his Premier League loan this weekend, but he'll not be
returning to the first team fold at Stamford Bridge, rather seeking to kick - start his career elsewhere.
Walcott missed the best part of a year after suffering a cruciate ligament injury during an FA Cup victory against rivals Tottenham Hotspur last February and has only
recently returned to the first team setup.
The popular
defender returned to the first team in January having been out of action for 10 months after suffering a double - leg break while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
The DR Congo international made his long -
awaited return to the first team in the 0 - 0 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day and has gone on to make a further 11 appearances for the Toffees — starting the past three matches.
Giroud may have been on extended break, but he did
n't return to first team training long after his French international teammate Laurent Koscielny and German international Mesut Ozil.
Evans had a
woeful return to first team action in the League Cup and defended abysmally, but is a far more experienced figure than Tyler Blackett and Michael Keane and should therefore retain his place.
Walcott will now reportedly not be in the match day squads for Crystal Palace and Bournemouth either, although he will
hopefully return to first team training soon after New Years Day.
However whilst some of our biggest stars
now return to first team training with Arsenal, one key man who remains missing through injury is Santi Cazorla.
Much to the delight of Arsenal fans this past weekend, Jack Wilshere made his highly -
anticipated return to the first team after missing the entire campaign to that point through injury.
This game could see Diego Costa rested as he makes a
slow return to first team action and the reinstatement of Didier Drogba up front who before the game against QPR had scored three in three starts.
The highlight of the last 20 came on 88 minutes when
Sagna returned to first team action for the first time since breaking his leg 4 months ago.
Joining the «Ginge «in making his debut to the first XI in the 2017 - 18 campaign is Diafra Sakho, who has had a
promising return to first team action thus far, right back Sam Byram and backup goalkeeper Adrian.
The period of his absence is still to be confirmed, hopefully that is not long as the England international just recovered and
returned to first team months back after 17 months on the treatment table.
After Steve Evans arrival,
Byram returned to the first team after an absence and although Evans repeatedly spoke of his desire to keep quality players like Sam Byram, he was sold to West Ham United with just six months left on his contract.
In this game we can
expect returns to first team of Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Ramires who missed the match against Wigan so, we can expect a 4 -2-3-1 formation with Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Ramires, Mata, Kalou and Torres in first line - up.
However, against Hull City, Rob Holding made a
surprise return to the first team, after not featuring since the second league game of the season, when he was part of the disastrous defence which shipped three first half goals against Middlesbrough.
- Jonathan
Hogg returns to First Team training - Midfielder fit after suffering injury at Brighton - England U21 goalkeeper Ryan Schofield also returns David Wagner has received a boost ahead of Saturday's Premier League game with Watford as midfielder Jonathan Hogg returned to training on Wednesday afternoon.
An afternoon to forget for the champions, but at least they had one item of good news: Franck
Ribery returning to the first team squad after nine months out with an ankle injury and coming off the bench to net his side's late consolation.
The forward was ruled out of the England squad for the Euros and is now not expected to
return to first team duties until February 2017.
Carrick missed the start of the current season due to injury, but
since returning to the first team has been an integral part of van Gaal's starting XI and is vice-captain to Wayne Rooney.
This is according to the Liverpool Echo, who state that both the
defenders returned to first team training with Klopp's side earlier this week having missed their game against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday.
Walcott missed the first four months of the 2014/15 season due to a cruciate ligament injury, but
returned to the first team in January and this goal will do wonders for his confidence.
The DR Congo international went into detail on how hard he worked with the fitness coaches to
return to First Team action sooner than expected, whilst explaining how the international break will be vital for him to return to fitness.