Chelsea have exercised their recall option to bring Trevoh Chalobah back from Crystal Palace, talkSPORT understands.
The Blues are currently in the midst of a mini-injury crisis with centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile currently sidelined.
Meanwhile Axel Disasi is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge following a below-par season so far.
The Frenchman was a notable omission from Enzo Maresca‘s squad that drew 2-2 to Bournemouth on Tuesday night to further raise questions about his role in the team.
It is believed that the ex-Monaco star is a target for Juventus ahead of a possible winter switch to Turin.
Academy graduate Josh Acheampong started alongside Levi Colwill against the Cherries, but Maresca will have a new option to choose from when they face Wolves next Monday.
That is because Chelsea have made the decision to recall Chalobah, who has been a mainstay in Palace’s backline this season.
It is understood that Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali talked to Chalobah personally prior to the club’s decision to explain he will be part of their plans going forward.
Since recovering from an injury at the start of the campaign, the 25-year-old started in 12 out of the Eagles’ last 14 Premier League matches.
talkSPORT also understands that Marc Guehi – linked with a transfer back to Chelsea this month – is now expected to remain at Selhurst Park until at least the summer.
Chalobah was deemed surplus to requirements last summer despite playing a key role under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
The Blues signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer, but the ex-Fulham star has found himself behind 18-year-old Acheampong in Maresca’s pecking order.
And now Adarabioyo’s first-team chances are set to be even more limited due to the returning Chalobah.
While Palace fans will be left gutted by his recall, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan and ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy have insisted it is the nature of the game.
talkSPORT co-host Jordan said: “It’s Chelsea’s player. If you wanted the player to be your player, you could have perhaps bought him.
“Or make the loan have less conditionality and paid some more money for it [loan fee].
“I remember it happening to me with [ex-Birmingham chiefs] Karren Brady and David Sullivan with the goalkeeper Nico Vaesen.
“On the eve of the [2004] play-off final, a key component of our team, ‘We’re going to pull him back.’
“What? We’re going into a play-off final!’ We paid some more money and we got promoted to the Premier League.
“This is the nature of the beast, it’s Chelsea’s player, it’s Chelsea’s asset, they can do what they want, they’re not in the business of helping Crystal Palace, and why should they be?”
Pressed by Jim White whether Chalobah’s early exit is a blow for Palace, Murphy remarked: “It’s a blow, he’s done well.
“He looks fit, he looks strong, he’s enjoying his football, he’s been part of that back three.
“[Maxence] Lacroix, Guehi and Chalobah have been really good, they’ve helped Palace get back on track, it’s a big blow.”