BREAKING Enzo Maresca confirms Liam Delap injury return date as Chelsea handed boost

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Liam Delap could make his return for Chelseaas early as next week. The summer signing from Ipswich Town has been absent since August 30 after injuring his hamstring in the win over Fulham.

But the striker could be available to face Wolves in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash against Sunderland at the weekend, Maresca said: "We don't have any new injuries.

"Liam took part of the session yesterday with the team for the first time. He is not going to be available for tomorrow but probably for the next one." Asked if Delap could be available to face Wolves, Marescasaid: "He can be available."

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Marc Guiu could be handed a start against Sunderland on Saturday, which would be quite the turnaround considering he was sent out on loan to the Stadium of Light before being recalled just 26 days later. A mixture of Nicolas Jackson leaving for Bayern Munich and Delap's serious hamstring injury left Maresca light up front so it was decided Guiu would be brought back to Stamford Bridge.

The former Barcelona man scored against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday and it's possible he is handed a start against Sunderland. "Marc is a typical No.9. He is physically strong, a box player," Maresca said of the teenager.

"Again, he can improve and do many things better. We are working with him every game to try and help him. In terms of Joao Pedro, we know he can play as a No.9 or a No.10. He's very good in both positions."

Sunderland have started the season extremely well and are currently seventh in the Premier League having won four, drawn two and lost two. "They showed since the season started that they are a very good team," Maresca admitted.

"They play together, they work together. They have the same points as us so they are showing how good they are doing. It's a Premier League game, and there is no easy game."