Ghanaian defenders returns to Schalke squad after long-term injury

Schalke 04 manager Domenico Tedesco has hinted that Chelsea loanee Baba Rahman could make an appearance for the club before the close of the 2017/18 season. The Ghana international has not featured for the German outfit since sustaining a serious knee injury in January 2017 and he could still make a strong comeback with another year left on his loan contract.

Speaking to reporters, Tedesco confirmed that Rahman has returned to full fitness after his lengthy absence from the game and he is hoping to have the Ghanaian involved at the earliest possibility, he said:"Baba is getting better and the stability of his knee is looking good. He's completing a lot of sessions."

Rahman was bought by Chelsea from Augsburg for £21.7m in the summer of 2015 but he could not break into the starting line-up under Jose Mourinho. Since then, the left-sided defender has been out of contention with manager Antonio Conte and during this period, he has spent part of his time at Schalke 04.

The Ghanaian currently has another year left on his 18-month loan contract at Schalke and he will be hoping to establish himself next season in order to earn himself a permanent deal. Chelsea have utilised their loan system to develop some of their players, who are now regularly part of the first-team squad but Rahman may have to see his future elsewhere given the competition for places in his position.

Marcos Alonso has been the undisputed choice for the Blues in the left wing-back spot since 2016 and the competition for positions have only increased since then with Davide Zappacosta and Emerson bought to provide sufficient backup to the Spain international. Rahman, who began his career with Asante Kotoko, has earned 24 caps for the Ghana national side to date. He has represented for them at the 2015 and 2017 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.