Roberto di Matteo is confident about returning to fitness with The Blues after his triple leg break, although he refuses to name a comeback date.
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He said: "The surgeon was quite happy with my situation, I just have to work hard, train hard and hopefully I will be returning soon."
He added that the extra surgery he will need to remove the plates that have aided the recovery of his broken left leg, has been put on hold for the time being which means he cannot give a date when he feels he will be ready to return.
Chelsea begin their UEFA Cup campaign next week, with a home leg tie against Levski Sofia of Bulgaria and the match marks a year since the ill-fated second-leg match against Swiss team St Gallen when Di Matteo suffered his career-threatening injury.
He added: "There have been times over the past 12 months that I thought I would never play again, especially at the beginning.
"It didn't look very good for me at all, but now its changed and things are starting to look very bright at the moment.
It's been tough but thanks to my passion for the sport, the help from my family and life in general, I have come through the difficult time."
He was also aware how difficult it will be for him to get back into the first team because of the quality of the players that have been brought to the club while he has been away.
He continued: "I know with Emmanuel Petit and Frank Lampard both now playing for Chelsea it will be difficult for any player to get his place back.
"They are excellent players, but once I am fit, I know that I will push them as hard as I can to get back in the side."
