Nigerian starlet Tariq Uwakwe returned to Chelsea's U23s matchday squad on Saturday, December 14, almost four months since he suffered an injury.

In a Premier League 2 tie vs Liverpool, head coach Andrew Myers made his first change of the afternoon at half-time, bringing on the versatile midfielder to replace Jonathan Russell.

Prior to today's match at Liverpool's Academy Ground in Merseyside, Uwakwe's last appearance for the Blues youth teams came against Tottenham Hotspur on August 30, meaning he didn't dress for Chelsea for 106 days.

The 20-year-old missed seven Premier League 2 games and a further three in the EFL Trophy.

Uwakwe looked lively after coming off the bench and was involved in the build-up to Henry Lawrence's goal in the 76th minute.

The England U19 international picked up a loose ball following Uwakwe’s cleared cross and riffled it into the top corner of the net.

London-born Uwakwe inked a new contract with Chelsea in the off-season and is now contracted to the Stamford Bridge outfit until the end of the 2021-2022 season.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com