Thibaut Courtois targeting December return for Chelsea after knee ligament injury

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says he is on track for a December return to action after his knee injury, as he edges closer to a return following the knee ligament damage suffered last month.

Belgium international Courtois needed surgery following an injury picked up in training, and back-up stop Asmir Begovic has deputised in his absence.

Speaking after missing Belgium's Euro 2016 qualifying win over Israel, Courtois revealed his procedure had gone well and he is now set to step up his recovery programme.

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Thibaut Courtois says he is on track for a December return

after suffering knee ligament damage in training

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The Chelsea stopper posted these images from his recovery after

 surgery on his knee was successful

The Belgian stopper is now targeting the bulk of his 

physio work with his comeback on the horizon

'In terms of my knee, it is good. I am doing my rehabilitation and it is progressing fine,' Courtois said.

'I will be (now) starting the bulk of the work with my physio to come back as soon as possible.

'Of course I still have to be careful not to go too quickly, but all being well, I should be back in December.'

Courtois, 23, has not played for Chelsea since their home defeat by Crystal Palace in late August, picking up the injury after playing for Belgium in the last international break.

His eventual return to fitness will hand a big boost to a Chelsea backline who have come under a lot of criticism after a sketchy start to their title defence. 

The Blues have struggled for consistency, with the Barclays Premier League champions 16th in the table, already some 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.

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Courtois has not appeared for the Premier League champions 

since their defeat by Crystal Palace in August

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They are also set to be without right back Branislav Ivanovic

 for up to three weeks after a hamstring injury

They faced 18th-place Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday before travelling to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday.

They are also set to be without right back Branislav Ivanovic for up to three weeks after the out-of-form defender suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Serbia.

Ivanovic returned to London to be assessed but is now likely to miss both games in the coming week as well as fixtures against West Ham, Stoke City and Liverpool.