Ross Barkley is set to play his first match in a Chelsea shirt in a friendly against QPR’s development side.
The game has been arranged for Thursday at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, where Barkley is expected to return to action after a long spell out with a hamstring injury.
Barkley, recently signed from Everton, had surgery last year and has not played so far this season.
He has been in full training but is ineligible for Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round replay against Norwich because his move to Stamford Bridge was not registered early enough.
Barkley’s transfer would have had to have been rubber-stamped by midday on January 5 for him to have been able to play in Wednesday’s tie, but it went through that evening.
Asked if Barkley could make his debut against Norwich, Blues boss Antonio Conte explained: “No because he is not able to play because the transfer was late.”
The Italian added: “We are preparing a friendly game for him this week and we will see his physical condition.
“He could be ready for the next game or the next game.”
This post was last modified on 18/01/2018
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Great acquisition in Barkley..but in attacking options we the laughing stock of the top six clubs!! Why sell DIEGOOAL, B. Traore, loan J. Boga, rumor is we on the verge of loaning out live wire (that's capable of terrifying defense, but gets No ops 'cause of “big names ") Mudonda Jr!! It beats logic! Richarlison was on our cards, we' d have had him in our ranks for a poultry £'s 11mill,but no...... We only believe in talent after they succeed elsewhere!! Real dumb if you ask me!! Sanchez is a No Brainer, it's in line with Cfc DNA buy names that are close to, or over 30 (this a fact, youth dont get a solid run out @Cfc...) KDB, Salah, Lukaka, Ake, Chalobah, Thorgan, B. Traore, van annholt, L. Baker...... GO GET, SANCHEZ & AUBAMAYANG... Those are a guaranteed 30+ goals, No Question