Jose Mourinho welcomed back his squad for training before the weekend

He will not be ready to face Norwich City but is targeting a return soon

Belgian goalkeeper has not played for the champions since late August

Thibaut Courtois has handed Chelsea a much-needed boost by returning to first-team training as he closes in on a comeback from the knee surgery.

Courtois, 23, has not played for the Barclays Premier League champions since their home defeat by Crystal Palace on August 29 after damaging his medial ligaments at their Cobham base.

But on Thursday he was able to complete a session with the rest of Jose Mourinho's squad as part of his ongoing rehabilitation with a view to returning to playing in the coming weeks.

Thibaut Courtois returned to first-team training with Chelsea on Thursday as he recovers from injury

Courtois has not played for Chelsea since August after suffering knee ligament damage during training

Blues manager Jose Mourinho is under pressure to lift his side up the Premier League table soon

This Saturday's clash with Norwich City will come too soon for the Belgian stopper and he is unlikely to be risked until next month, with Asmir Begovic continuing to deputise in the meantime.

Courtois has been badly missed with the Blues winning just twice in the Premier League since he was ruled out through injury, although their run of poor form began before his absence.

While Begovic has proven himself as an able No 2 for a top side, Chelsea's title-winning keeper can offer some much needed defensive stability and leadership to a side sorely lacking both qualities.

The faltering champions have kept just four clean sheets in 18 games this season, a steep decline for a defence that conceded just 32 times on their way to last season's league triumph.

Jose Mourinho welcomed back his full squad of players at Cobham ahead of Norwich's visit to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea's stars returning from their international duties around the world.

The Norwich game is followed by a trip to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League on Wednesday before Chelsea travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham next Sunday.

Courtois has been badly missed with the Blues winning just twice in the league since he was ruled out

Asmir Begovic has deputised but has not been able to halt the slump which sees Chelsea down in 16th