After hearing nothing about Stuart Armstrong for over a month and speculation rife about his absence, Ralph Hasenhuttl has announced that Stuart Armstrong has returned to training with the first team squad and could even feature at Chelsea on Saturday.

Mystery has surround Stuart Armstrong's calf injury, initially described as a minor injury that would keep the midfielder out for a couple of weeks, it has overrun a lot longer than that meaning that the Scot hasn't kicked a ball in anger since the last pre season friendly some 8 weeks ago.

Hasenhuttl had this to say ahead of the trip to Stamford bridge:

“The good thing is since this week he is training with the team,” admitted the boss. “We will have a look how he is, if he’s part of the squad on the weekend and we can decide what we want to do.

“He was 42 days out now so a long time. I think it’s not the best to step into the international team but I think they have two important games and you see how important a player he is for them.”

The Austrian also gave an update on other injury issues in the squad:

“Jack Stephens is still out. There are one or two players who are struggling a little bit, but everybody is on the pitch, it’s only Jack that isn’t here.

“I must say that I have a lot of alternatives at the moment.”

One player who will be missing but not with injury is loanee from Chelsea Armando Broja who under Premier League rules is not allowed to play against his parent club:

“We have two games against them (Chelsea) one in the cup and one in the league. I think for both he’s not allowed to play and this is a pity.”

Photo: Action Images

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