Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has returned to training with Chelsea, taking part in first group session since injury.

Essien returned to training on Wednesday at the club's Cobham ground for the first time since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in September.

The Chelsea midfielder had been training alone during his recovery period but rejoining his team-mates in a non-contact session is a big boost to his return to full match fitness.

Chelsea are hopeful that Essien will return to full training at the end of this month and be ready for a return to first-team action in the middle of March.