The first-team group has been bolstered with several players from the Academy, but Rob Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja have all been involved in the sessions.

James was in contention to return to the England squad for the Three Lions' upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. Given his form since returning from injury last month, that was no surprise.

Yet the choice was made for the Chelsea captain to remain at Cobham during the break. 'It’s about taking the best decision for the player, the national team, and Chelsea,' Pochettino explained last week.

'It’s not a decision for Reece. He is desperate to go, he wants to go, but there are two parts: the national team and the club. They have to make the best decision for him.

'After the problems, he is starting to feel fit again. I am happy we will be with us because it’s two weeks to work with him again.'

Sterling produced one of his best performances in a Chelsea shirt last time out against Manchester City. The winger struck our second goal in the pulsating 4-4 draw and caused Kyle Walker constant problems down the left flank.

‘It was important we stood up to City because they’re a team if you sit off them and show them too much respect, they can just easily pick you off and punish you,' Sterling reflected after the contest at Stamford Bridge.

‘We stood up to them, we were aggressive in our pressing and all the boys showed a real hunger and intensity. We showed real character.'

Badiashile's continued involvement is a positive sign. The French defender missed more than five months due to a hamstring injury but made a goalscoring return against Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup two weeks ago.

Away from the training pitches – and away from the first-team spotlight – several players continue their respective recoveries from injury.

Some are closer than others to making their returns to full training; Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku both undertook work on the grass prior to the international break.

The recovery process is one that Armando Broja has been through. The Academy graduate spent ten months overcoming a knee ligament injury before returning to score against Fulham in October.

He has been carefully managed since but did have an impact off the bench against Manchester City – it was the Albania international who won the late penalty that was dispatched confidently by Cole Palmer.

Deivid Washington, who arrived at Chelsea in the summer from Santos, has also been involved.

The 18-year-old striker made his senior Chelsea debut against Brentford last month and struck twice last weekend as our Under-21s claimed a 2-1 victory away at Leeds United in Premier League 2.

Another youngster to have gained first-team minutes this season, Alex Matos, has also trained. As have fellow members of the Academy sides Alfie Gilchrist and Tyrique George.