Gary Cahill is back and running for Chelsea after recovering from a painful double fracture to his jaw.
Cahill was expected to be one of the starters for England in their Euro 2012 campaign, but was deal a cruel blow when he clashed into England goalkeeper Joe Hart, during a friendly against Belgium, and suffered a fracture which ruled him out of the European championships.
Cahill admitted he knew something serious had occurred when he banged into Hart. "'I would have been amazed if nothing had happened because when it occurred I felt the bottom jaw go out and come back in," Cahill told Chelsea TV.
"So when I went for the x-rays I thought if it doesn't show anything here it is a miracle, but unfortunately it did and it was shocking timing, in the last friendly game and probably 60 to 70 minutes away from getting on the plane.
"It was a nightmare but we finished the season fantastically well with Chelsea so it is like a rollercoaster of ups and downs all the time -- but the injury is behind me now and hopefully I can have a good year this year."
Cahill removed metal plates last week that had been put into his mouth, held in place by elastic bands.
"I was on a soft-food diet for two weeks which was a bit of a nightmare," the former Bolton defender said. "But it is all finished now and I can move on. It is good to be back amongst the boys and getting down to some hard work."
Cahill was delighted to see Roberto Di Matteo get the permanent manager's job and said he couldn't wait to get the season started. "'I am sure the lads are buzzing that Roberto Di Matteo has the manager's job," the 26-year-old said.
"He got it on merit and I think everyone at the club is glad that has happened and we look forward to competing this year."
