Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury and could be fit for the start of next season.
Zouma, 21, was expected to be sidelined for six months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in February, ruling him out of the rest of Chelsea's season and France's Euro 2016 campaign.
But just three months later, he has posted Instagram footage showing him running again as he continues his rehabilitation at the club's Cobham training complex.
Step by step... ����#happy#running#1sttime#rosarosa @gradurofficiel243 ✌��️
A video posted by Kurt Zouma (@kurtzouma) on
"Step by step... #happy#running#1sttime," Zouma wrote in a caption to the video, which also shows him doing light jogging and passing drills.
It is a boost for incoming manager Antonio Conte, who is assessing his central defensive options ahead of his first campaign in English football.
Sources told ESPN FC in April that Chelsea retain a strong interest in signing John Stones from Everton, while Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci, Roma defender Kostas Manolas and Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly are also reported to be targets.
Captain John Terry put an end to speculation over his future by signing a one-year contract extension earlier this month.