He had surgery after suffering meniscus damage in his left knee in Chelsea’s final pre-season fixture on a dreadful pitch in Chicago at Soldier Field, which had hosted an Ed Sheeran concert a few days before.
Nkunku was hurt in a heavy collision with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and Chelsea’s attack struggled badly without him in the first few months of the season.
But Cole Palmer has helped spark the Blues frontline into life, easing the need to rush Nkunku back.
Chelsea will follow a similar plan that eased Reece James back after his hamstring injury. The Blues captain initially returned with two substitute appearances and has not completed 90 minutes in three starts since then.
James recently said he “hasn’t felt this good in a long time”. Chelsea’s £55m summer signing Romeo Lavia is also closing in on his debut.
The 19-year-old midfielder has also missed the start of the season after arriving short of fitness and then suffering an ankle injury.
Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka remain out, but Chelsea’s injury problems are easing.
Levi Colwill had to withdraw from the England squad due to a shoulder injury but is fit to face Newcastle, as is Malo Gusto after recovering from a knee issue.
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