Ten key players back fit following lockdown: Chelsea and Tottenham boosted

The three-month hiatus from Premier League action comes to an end on Wednesday night as top-flight English football returns to our screens. Aston Villa's welcome of Sheffield United kicks off the final jam-packed weeks of the season and that's followed up by Manchester City's clash with Arsenal. 

The postponement of all football allowed a number of vital players to return from injury in time for the final run in. Whereas some would be absent for the remainder of the campaign, now they have the chance to help their respective side to their seasonal goal as we look at 10 key performers now back fit following lockdown... 

Leroy Sane - Manchester City 

Leroy Sane hasn't featured for Manchester City since their Community Shield win over Liverpool back in August owing to a knee injury, but the Germany international is back in training and fit to feature for the defending champions over the next 10 league matches. City don't exactly need further assistance in the final third having scored more league goals (68) than any other Premier League side this season, yet he's a welcome addition to the squad for Pep Guardiola. 

He may be set for a summer move to Bayern Munich, but Sane has a big role to play for the Cityzens between now and the end of the campaign. City still have the FA Cup and Champions League to look ahead to, so Sane's recovery is a boost for Guardiola's side. 

Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City 

Aymeric Laporte recovered from a knee injury in January, but was forced off once more in February during Manchester City's 2-1 Champions League win at Real Madrid. The injury may not have been as lengthy as the one sustained in August, yet his absence was felt. City are unbeaten in the seven league games Laporte started this season, while their goals conceded per game return shoots from 0.43 to 1.33 when he doesn't start.

City may have little to play for the Premier League, save for securing a top four finish, which at this point is all but a formality, but Laporte's return boosts their chances of FA Cup and Champions League success. Sane's availability may be welcomed, yet it's Laporte's return to fitness that is arguably more important. 

Marcus Rashford - Manchester United 

Lasting just 16 minutes in Manchester United's 1-0 FA Cup win over Wolves in January, Marcus Rashford sustained a back injury that would keep him sidelined for longer than expected. The England international had been set to sit out the remainder of the season, yet the break in action afforded Rashford the opportunity to fully recover in time to maintain Manchester United's top-four pursuit. 

Rashford is United's top scorer with 14 goals to his name, while only Bruno Fernandes (7.82) has a better WhoScored rating than the 22-year-old (7.34) in the Premier League this season. Supporters are desperate to see the pair link up and their wish may now be granted when United take on Tottenham in Friday's clash. 

Paul Pogba - Manchester United 

Rashford isn't the only long-term absentee coming back for United in time for Project Restart to get back underway. Paul Pogba hasn't featured for the Premier League giants since their Boxing Day win over Newcastle and his return boosts Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's midfield ranks in time for the run in. 

There remain lingering doubts of Pogba's future at Old Trafford, yet amidst reports he is prepared to stay at the club, his availability is a boost. Only three players have made more accurate through balls than the Frenchman (5) in the Premier League this season, despite making just seven league outings, and fans are hoping he can return to action and immediatly beging threading those passes to a rejuvenated United frontline to secure Champions League football. 

Harry Kane - Tottenham 

Tottenham's top scorer sustained a hamstring injury on New Year's Day and there were fears his season would be over after limping off in the 1-0 loss at Southampton. Indeed, had the campaign progressed as expected, then he would have been a huge doubt for Euro 2020, too, yet the break has allowed Harry Kane to return to training and he'll look to add to his 11 league goals between now and next month, starting with the welcome of Manchester United on Friday. 

Kane is also Spurs' top rated player, with a WhoScored rating of 7.30, so in overcoming injury, Jose Mourinho has his number one forward available for the crucial run in. Given their attacking woes in recent months, Kane will be welcomed with open arms back to the first team fold. 

Son Heung-Min - Tottenham 

Son Heung-Min has been instrumental in Tottenham's last three league wins, scoring decisive goals in victories over Norwich and Aston Villa and netting their second to wrap up three points against Manchester City. Kane may be the star forward, but Son is just as important as the England captain.

With a WhoScored rating of 7.28, he is second to Kane as Spurs' top rated player. Son has registered more assists (7) than any other Spurs player and is their second top scorer with nine Premier League goals to his name. Now over a broken arm sustained at Villa, the 27-year-old's return is a huge boost for the north London side.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Chelsea 

Frank Lampard has ample midfield options to call upon, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek adds to Chelsea's repertoire of middle men. The England international hasn't made a Blues appearance this season, and the only thing standing between the midfielder and a league outing before the campaign comes to a head is match fitness. 

He is just the driving force Chelsea require from deep to help break down staunch opponents and if he is given the chance to showcase his ability, then the 24-year-old will have a key role to play for the Blues over the next nine matches.

N'Golo Kante - Chelsea 

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has previously stated that N'Golo Kante hasn't been fully fit this season, and it came to a head when the Frenchman was forced off after just 12 minutes against Manchester United in February. The break, then, will have done the Frenchman the world of good. Kante was apprehensive to return to full contact training when it was announced this was possible, and understandably so, yet an extended spell on the sidelines will have allowed the midfielder to fully recover from a series of niggling injury problems.

Kante may have been expected to return to first team action before the season was supposed to have ended, but supporters will be hopeful of seeing the 29-year-old back to his best as Chelsea seek to secure a top four finish.

John McGinn - Aston Villa 

At the other end of the table, Aston Villa know that a win over Sheffield United on Wednesday night will take them out of the relegation zone. However, they need to improve upon their sub-par form in order to take them out of the bottom three and John McGinn's return to fitness vastly increases their chances of consolidating a Premier League spot. 

Only Jack Grealish (7.33) has a better WhoScored rating than McGinn (7.26) of all Villa players in the Premier League this season and Dean Smith will be aware than their duracell bunny is pivotal over their next 10 league matches as they seek to beat the drop. 

David Brooks - Bournemouth 

Like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, David Brooks is another who is yet to feature for his side this season. The Wales international hasn't made an appearance for Bournemouth this term owing to an ankle injury sustained in pre-season, but with the Cherries facing a relegation dog fight, head coach Eddie Howe must be delighted to have Brooks available for selection. 

The 22-year-old scored seven and provided five assists for Bournemouth in the Premier League last season. Both returns would rank second and first, respectively, of all Cherries players in England's top tier this term and, like Villa with McGinn, Brooks' recovery from an ankle issue will help his side in their quest to stave off relegation.