Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma to play for under-23s against Oxford United

Kurt Zouma has been sidelined for nine months with a knee injury

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is set to play for the club's under-23s against Oxford United as he continues his comeback from a knee injury.

The Blues take on the League One side in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday.

Zouma, 22, needed surgery after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United in February.

The £12m signing from Saint-Etienne has featured in Chelsea's past two development squad games.

"I have been training with the development squad for a couple of weeks and I've enjoyed the experience a lot," Zouma told Chelsea's official website.

"I have been going step by step with my rehabilitation and the games were a good test for me and my knee."