Hutchinson's incredible return after 'retirement' at Chelsea

Sam Hutchinson, the 22-year-old who announced his retirement just 18 months ago, will complete a remarkable comeback by securing a place in Chelsea's Premier League squad on January 1.



The defender, who can operate at right back or centre half, thought his career was over in August 2010 owing to a degenerative condition in his right knee.



Sam's the man: Hutchinson has been given a Chelsea squad number

But Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has given Hutchinson the No 27 shirt and will name him in his 25-man squad. He could be in contention to play when Chelsea travel to Wolves on January 2.



Villas-Boas is short of options in defence and named 17-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah in his squad to face Fulham on Boxing Day.



Right back Jose Bosingwa injured his hamstring in the 1-1 draw, Alex is transfer-listed and Branislav Ivanovic is not expected to return from a hamstring injury until Chelsea's FA Cup third-round tie at home to Portsmouth on January 8.



Villas-Boas only has John Terry and David Luiz fit. Hutchinson will therefore return to the fringes of the first team after Jose Mourinho gave him his debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Everton on May 13, 2007.



Florent Malouda, meanwhile, has insisted he will leave Chelsea if he does not feature more regularly. Malouda, 31, has started just four League games this season and has been linked with Carlo Ancelotti at Paris Saint-Germain.



The ex-Chelsea boss is expected to take over from Antoine Kombouare despite the club's position at the top of Ligue 1. Malouda said: 'I'm not getting enough playing time. If it is necessary, I will leave.'



