Chelsea manager looking to hand new signing quick debut

Antonio Conte is looking to hand new recruit, Ross Barkley, his Chelsea debut as quickly as possible.

The Italian tactician has disclosed that the former Arsenal man is currently involved in training with the fitness crew in a bid to hasten his return to full match fitness.

Ross Barkley is yet to play for the senior team this season, having been nursing injury for the first stanza of the campaign.

The versatile midfielder sealed a £15million transfer to Stamford Bridge last week Friday from Merseyside club Everton, for whom he sustained injury.

Ross Barkley has missed the whole season with a severe hamstring problem and had only been limited to training with Everton’s senior squad for some weeks before sealing the move to Stamford Bridge.

But after watching his team labour to a goalless at Norwich City in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round fixture on Saturday, Antonio Conte says he is hoping to feature Barkley soon.

Chelsea were keen on landing Barkley last term but the type of his injury problem, and Everton’s demands, seemingly stalled the switch until January.

The new Chelsea No 8 returned to training in December, but could still have to wait a few weeks before playing his first Chelsea match.