MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United have been given an injury boost with both Raphaël Varane and Jonny Evans set to return to training ahead of Thursday's trip to Chelsea.
It is welcome news for manager Erik ten Hag, who will be without the injured Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelöf for more than a month while Luke Shaw is sidelined until May.
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Varane went off at half-time against Brentford and Evans has missed the last two games, but both could be available to play at Stamford Bridge.
"On the frontline and midfield we are OK and we have options there but in the backline we have a lack of options," Ten Hag told a news conference on Wednesday.
"The good thing is back in training this afternoon is Raphaël Varane and Jonny Evans."
Injury problems have blighted United's season with the squad suffering more than 50 seperate absences.
Martinez was injured in training after only just returning against Bretford following two months out with a knee problem while Tyrell Malacia is set to miss the entire campaign.
"It's not only us who've had this," Ten Hag said.
"The standards of the Premier League from an intensity perspective are so high, the overload of the schedule, international football is so huge, we have internationals in our squad.
"[Manchester] City, Liverpool and Newcastle have problems, and many other teams."
United head to Stamford Bridge looking to extend an unbeaten run there which stretches back to November 2017.
Chelsea have failed to win any of their last 12 league games against United and find themselves in the bottom half of the table with just 10 games left of the current campaign.
"It's a tough competition," Ten Hag said.
"It's very tight and also a lot about which players are available and not. When you are on the right side of the line you can have a successful season, but when on the wrong side you can have a much more difficult season.
"They have a fantastic team, fantastic players and play very good football. They can beat anyone and have shown in this league."