Chelsea central defender David Luiz is hoping to step up his recovery from a knee injury before the transfer window reopens in January.

Head coach Antonio Conte last week described Luiz’s problem as “serious”, but the Brazilian believes he could be ready to start running properly again this week.

That would still put Luiz some weeks from a playing comeback, but would potentially allow him to prove his fitness before the January transfer window closes.

Luiz is concentrating on getting fit, but his Chelsea future had been put in doubt before the troublesome knee injury flared up.

Spanish sources claim Real Madrid have been watching the situation of Luiz since he fell-out with Conte and was dropped for the victory over Manchester United.