Chelsea handed double injury boost as Enzo Maresca issues latest on stars closing in on return

Blues take on Newcastle in their final game before Christmas

Enzo Maresca has revealed that Chelsea could welcome back both Liam Delap and Estevao Willian for their game against Aston Villa .

The Blues host Villa on December 27, following their trip to Newcastle United this weekend.

Delap has been out with a shoulder injury which he sustained in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth, while fellow new recruit Estevao has been out with a “small muscular injury” that kept him out of the 3-1 win at Cardiff in midweek.

However, Maresca think that both could be fit to face the Villans after Christmas, although the Tyneside trip will be too soon for the pair.

"We are good,” Maresca said at his pre-match press conference.

“The ones we left out for Cardiff are OK. We will have Liam Delap and [Estevao] probably available for the next game against Villa. Probably, yes.

“We didn’t know exactly how long [Delap would be out], but he’s progressing very well.”

There is still no sign of a return for Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill , who are longer-term absentees.