CHELSEA have promoted Dujon Sterling to their first-team squad for the club's pre-season training.

Football.London claims that the wing-back impressed Thomas Tuchel when he trained with the senior stars during Aprils' international break.

The report adds that Sterling was on the German manager's radar back when he was in charge of Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

And now three-time FA Youth Cup winner will have the opportunity to revive his Chelsea career over the next fortnight.

Sterling, who has just a year remaining on his Blues contract, will train under Tuchel during the opening weeks of the club's pre-season.

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The 21-year-old could even feature in Chelsea's friendly fixtures due to Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta's extended absence following their involvement in the Euros.

The Stamford Bridge outfit are on the hunt for a new right-sided player this summer after their failed attempt to sign Achraf Hakimi.

Sterling's rise to the senior squad could cap an incredible turnaround for the youngster following a difficult 18-month spell.

The England U20 international was seen as one of Chelsea's brightest academy talents when he made his debut under Antonio Conte at 17.

He was also part of the Three Lions side that lifted the U19 Euros in 2017 and was named in the team of the tournament alongside Mason Mount.

Yet a path to the first team was soon blocked when Conte left the club and Maurizio Sarri's appointment led to him going out on loan.

Two spells at Coventry and Wigan in which Sterling struggled with health and injury problems at the latter put his Chelsea career at a crossroads.

But the defender dealt with the setbacks of 13 months on the sidelines due to a hamstring tear and coronavirus to return to peak fitness.

And Sterling's attitude has caught the eye of Chelsea's development squad coaches when he reacted to making his comeback in February this year.

He tweeted: "The light at the end of the tunnel.

"Blessed to be back playing 90 mins last night. 2020 was a huge challenge for me physically & mentally with injury/illness sidelining me for the year, but I’ve come through healthier and stronger. Keep pushing and never give up!"

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