Squad focused on Chelsea

Avram Grant has been putting his players through their paces again at the start of a busy week that will culminate in Saturday's showdown with Chelsea.

Nearly all the squad were reporting back to Chadwell Heath early this week, including new signings Victor Obinna and Ruud Boffin, who have been handed the No33 and No31 shirts respectively. Those players missing included fellow new recruit Lars Jacobsen, who has been given No37, Matthew Upson, Pablo Barrera and Carlton Cole, with international commitments still to fulfil.

Robert Green was among those in action again, having had a successful minor procedure last week that caused him to miss a few days. Winston Reid and Valon Behrami also appear to be over respective issues while Thomas Hitzlsperger has stepped up his comeback from a thigh problem and is doing running drills.

Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine Andy Rolls has updated whufc.com on the general squad situation in terms of fitness for the four long-term injuries - namely Jack Collison, Zavon Hines, Peter Kurucz and Anthony Edgar.

"Jack is working hard and progressing well in building up the muscle bulk in his knee very well," he said. "He is doing long hours in the gym and, even if it is sometimes a bit laborious, he is approaching his rehabilitation very positively.

"Zavon is doing strength work as he recovers from his knee injury and is also progressing well.

"Peter has undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery, spending a night in hospital. It went very well. Peter is now regaining full strength and movement and has begun light strengthening exercises. He will be assessed by his surgeon again in six weeks.

"Unfortunately, Anthony Edgar sustained a serious knee injury in a reserve-team friendly at Queens Park Rangers on 24 August. Anthony underwent surgery earlier this week."