Torres boost for Chelsea

Fernando Torres has given Chelsea a boost in the crucial run in to the season by returning to training quicker than expected.

Torres was expected to be sidelined for at least a month with knee ligament damage he picked up in the 3-1 win against Manchester United on January 19.

The much maligned Spaniard is unlikely to be match fit in time to start against Newcastle at home on Saturday but he should be fully fit  just as Chelsea’s fixture list becomes more intense.

He is looking at a possible return against West Brom on Tuesday night as Chelsea prepare to face Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round then a Champions League against Galatasary.

But while Torres is chumping at the bit to be ready for this season’s run in, recent signing Mohamed Salah is biding his time. He is acutely aware he may have to wait until next season to sshow Chelsea fan why he was described as the “Egyptian Messi” He arrived at Stamford Bridge as the Blues beat Liverpool in the £11million race to sign him from Basle.

Egypt international Salah is aware he may have to wait until next season to make an impact at Stamford Bridge and  said: “Playing in Switzerland and  for Basle is not like Chelsea, it’s more different.

“I hope I can play better here, do more than I did at Basle and I do a good career for me.

“The manager said to me ‘We need you, you’re a very good player and still young. Next year you will play more and will get better and better’.

“Now I am just concentrating on the pitch. It is not easy if you come to Chelsea and want to play, it’s not easy for anyone. I will concentrate, work hard, do my work and we’ll see.

“For everybody in Egypt this is a dream. To see one player playing in Chelsea, Manchester or Madrid, it’s not easy for Egypt people to do that.”

He added: “I hope we can win the Premier League and the Champions League. It is not easy but this is a very good team and I hope we can win the League 100 per cent.

“To play in this League is fantastic and it is my dream. As well as playing in England’s top division, I am also playing for one of the biggest teams.”