Raheem Sterling missed Chelsea’s last two games after suffering a bout of food poisoning with the winger now back in training ahead of huge FA Cup semi-final showdown against old side Man City

Raheem Sterling has returned to training after being sidelined with food poisoning, boosting Chelsea’s attacking options as they aim to dump Manchester City from their second cup competition in four days.

Sterling’s former club were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday and must try to overcome that exhausting penalty shootout defeat in time for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

Sterling’s last appearance came as a substitute in the 4-3 win over Manchester United two weeks ago, a comeback that became a Premier League classic when Cole Palmer scored in the 10th and 11th minutes of stoppage time.

Mail Sport understands the 29-year-old’s absence is due to food poisoning, which also left him suffering from dehydration.

The winger lost weight while battling that disease. Manager Mauricio Pochettino previously said his player ‘vomited’ due to a ‘virus’, but he has now been reunited with the squad as he looks to regain fitness.

Raheem Sterling has missed Chelsea’s last two games after suffering food poisoning

Mauricio Pochettino previously said the player ‘vomited’ due to a ‘virus’

Sterling has been a regular starter, appearing in every round of the FA Cup under Pochettino, who sees his experience as valuable in a squad full of young players.

The England international has faced some challenging moments, not least when Chelsea fans took out their frustration on him, but Sterling is determined to help the club succeed despite their overall problems amid a season affected by injuries.

Winning the FA Cup, which would guarantee a place in the Europa League for next season, would be a sign that Chelsea are moving in a positive direction under Pochettino.

The 52-year-old Argentinian will finalize his starting lineup and substitutes on Friday. This includes deciding whether Palmer should start on the right wing or at number 10, the position from which he tormented Everton in Monday’s 6-0 win. Mykhailo Mudryk started that victory on the left wing with Sterling still offside.

The player is now back in training to boost Pochettino’s options ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against his old side Manchester City on Saturday.

Chelsea have already drawn twice against City this season and will hope their European efforts have had an impact on them ahead of this visit to Wembley.

Part of Pochettino’s preparations for this semi-final could involve him following a session he has used previously by setting up a 10 versus 11 match in training.

The full-strength team has the job of shaping up to match their opponents – in this case City – while the one-man side must show a willingness to be brave on the ball and apply pressure as they don’t have that. It.