Chelsea physio returns to bench after seven months

Physio Jon Fearn returned to Chelsea's bench on Saturday for the first time since the opening day of the season when he was admonished along with Eva Carneiro by then manager Jose Mourinho.

Fearn was criticised alongside then first-team doctor Carneiro for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during the 2-2 draw with Swansea on the opening day of the season on August 8. The pair were subsequently stripped of first-team duties.

Carneiro did not appear on the bench again and left Chelsea the following month. The 42-year-old is pursuing a claim of constructive dismissal against the club and a separate personal legal action against Mourinho. Fearn remained at Chelsea, working behind the scenes.

Chelsea have long insisted the cases were separate, with Mourinho intimating Fearn could return to the bench prior to his sacking as manager in December. And now he has returned for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham at Stamford Bridge.