Courtois Targets December Return  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is planning a return to action in December but defender Branislav Ivanovic picked up an injury while on international duty.

Courtois required surgery after he damaged ligaments in his right knee in training last month, but the Belgium international is recovering well and delivered a positive injury update.

"In terms of my knee, it is good. I am doing my rehabilitation and it is progressing fine," Courtois said.

"I will be (now) starting the bulk of the work with my physio to come back as soon as possible.

"Of course I still have to be careful not to go too quickly, but all being well, I should be back in December."

Ivanovic has been added to the absentees list during the international break, though, after he suffered a hamstring injury while away with Serbia.

He has returned to London to be assessed and could be out for up to three weeks, which would rule him out of the Champions League tie away to Dynamo Kiev as well as domestic matches against West Ham, Stoke and Liverpool.

The Premier League returns this weekend and Chelsea will go into their home game with Aston Villa 16th in the table, 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.