Mykhailo Mudryk could make his long-awaited return to football on Wednesday, with the Chelsea winger named in the squad to face Juventus in a friendly in Hong Kong.

The 25-year-old Ukraine international has been absent from competitive football since November 2024, when he was provisionally suspended after an anti-doping test returned an "adverse finding" for the banned substance meldonium.

His case was resolved with the Football Association last week, clearing the way for his comeback after a 20-month absence from the game.

Alonso cautious over minutes

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Mudryk is available for selection but struck a cautious note over how much time the winger might get on the pitch.

"Yes, he could play. Maybe [to play] 90 minutes it's too early, but he can be selected. He's selected, so he can play," Alonso said.

Alonso also revealed that Mudryk had travelled straight to the team hotel from the airport ahead of the squad's first training session together, describing the reunion as an emotional one.

"He trained yesterday, came directly from the airport to the hotel. So, yesterday was more about the feelings, more about the emotions, to be back with the players to assess the fitness level," the manager added.

The friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong presents Mudryk with his first opportunity to return to the pitch and begin rebuilding his fitness under his new head coach.