Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Friday as he steps up his recovery from injury.
The French international has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury in the Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur back in August.
Kante played an hour against Charlton and came through unscathed in his first match of any kind since being sidelined.
Goals from Silko Thomas, Malik Mothersille and Dion Rankine secured a 3-0 win for Chelsea.
Head coach Graham Potter had hinted at a step up in rehabilitation for the 31-year-old last week.
“N’Golo’s due to carry on training Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with potentially a game to give him some minutes,” he said.
Kante’s return to fitness would be an undoubted boost to Chelsea as the season approaches the final stretch.
Chelsea have a minimum of 13 matches remaining with the possibility of more with a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on the horizon next month.
Chelsea face Aston Villa, Liverpool and Wolves in the Premier League before the first leg at the Bernabeu on April 12.
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