Chelsea striker Liam Delap could make his return to action ahead of schedule in next week’s League Cup meeting with Wolves.

Liam Delap is closing in on his return to Chelsea action, with manager Enzo Maresca hinting that the striker could be back in the squad for next week’s League Cup meeting with Wolves.

Delap has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since August, and his expected return had been pushed back to November or December.

However, Maresca says that Delap’s progress has been better than expected, and he took part in a team training session yesterday for the first time. “He’s not going to be available for tomorrow’s game but probably for the next one,” Maresca said.

Delap has played just three Premier League games for Chelsea since signing for the club from Ipswich in June, and is yet to score a top-flight goal. Maresca has been using a number of forwards in Delap’s absence, including Joao Pedro and Tyrique George.

Marc Guiu, a teenage striker who was recalled from Sunderland following Delap’s injury, scored his first goal of the season in Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax. Maresca says that Guiu is only now getting what he expects from the 19-year-old, after a chat with him two weeks ago.

Chelsea are fifth in the Premier League after two straight wins, five points behind leaders Arsenal. Maresca is optimistic about Delap’s return, saying that it could give the team a boost.