CHELSEA caretaker boss Frank Lampard has been handed a much-needed boost ahead of Wednesday’s Real Madrid clash.
That’s after star defender Thiago Silva returned to training after six weeks out injured.
Thiago Silva is back in training ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Real MadridRichard Pelham / The Sun
The veteran Brazil captain, 38, has been one of Chelsea’s few bright sparks this season.
Silva has played 109 times for the Blues since his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
And he was handed a new contract earlier this year tying him down at Stamford Bridge until 2024.
However, Silva suffered an injury setback when he damaged his knee in February’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.
He missed out on Graham Potter’s final games in charge.
And Silva remained sidelined for Lampard’s second debut as Chelsea boss in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Wolves.
But the experienced ace could now be set for a swift return to action against Real Madrid this week after returning to training.
Silva was spotted in action at Cobham on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s crunch Champions League last 16 tie.
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It will be the third successive season Chelsea and Real have faced each other in Europe’s elite competition.
The Blues won the first showdown in 2021 before going on to win their second Champions League trophy under Thomas Tuchel.
But Real exacted revenge last term as they too eventually romped to glory.
Chelsea know they will need to win the entire competition to qualify for next season’s event.
The Blues are languishing in 11th place in the Premier League table.
And even a spot in the Europa Conference League looks miles away for Lampard, who will likely be replaced by either Luis Enrique or Julian Nagelsmann this summer.