Nicolas Jackson: Enzo Maresca offers potential return date for injured Chelsea striker | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has reiterated his confidence that striker Nicolas Jackson will be back available after the March international break.

Jackson went down with a hamstring problem in early February and the Blues have struggled for goals in his absence, with an injury to third-highest scorer Noni Madueke coinciding with a drop in form from talisman Cole Palmer.

Chelsea may not have long left to suffer without Jackson, however, as Maresca told a press conference on Wednesday that the Senegal international is on track to return after the international break alongside Madueke.

"He could be back, probably after the international break," Maresca said "Him and Noni also.

"This is good news. Before the international break, we have two games - tomorrow and Sunday - and then we have international break, we can recover energy, recover players and then go for the last [bit of the season]."

Chelsea face Copenhagen in the second leg of their Conference League last 16 on Thursday, looking to book their place in the next round after a 2-1 win in the first leg, before a huge trip to Arsenal will send the Blues into the international break.

Jackson and Madueke will hope to be back in action for the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on April 3.

Meanwhile, Reece James has returned to training after missing the weekend's victory over Leicester City because of a sickness bug which has plagued the dressing room. Cole Palmer played through illness against the Foxes and Christopher Nkunku is believed to have been struck down in recent days, although all three are back involved with the group.