Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has provided a promising update on his long road back to fitness from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The 23-year-old is not expected to return to full fitness before the end of the year, but he has shared a video on Twitter of himself running in a pool:

First run today ? pic.twitter.com/2CaYbmuqnN

— Ruben Loftus-Cheek (@rubey_lcheek) 15 July 2019

This type of recovery work is common, particularly with Achilles injuries, as running underwater reduces the pressure on the feet.

It’s been two months since Loftus-Cheek got injured in the friendly against New England Revolution back in May.

He has since signed a new five-year contract with the Blues earlier this month and looks to be very much part of manager Frank Lampard first-team plans.

Supporters will be hoping that this step up in his recovery is a sign that he could return earlier than expected but Achilles injuries do take a long time to heal and Loftus-Cheek has a lot of work ahead of him.