Former Aston Villa youngster Omari Kellyman is set to remain at Chelsea this month after the idea was floated that he might be in a position to head out for a loan spell in order to aid his development but, primarily, to enhance his fitness recovery.

Midfielder Kellyman joined Chelsea from Villa in the summer for a fee in the region of £19m, but he hasn't kicked a senior ball for the Blues since moving to Stamford Bridge because of a serious hamstring injury which has also involved a setback towards the end of last year.

Kellyman, who joined Villa from Derby County initially, might've headed out on loan for the second half of this season - Enzo Maresca himself admitted as much - but it's clear, reports Football.London, that he still isn't quite ready to make his return and he will therefore remain at Stamford Bridge for the time being.

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The teenager had made just two PL2 appearances for Chelsea's under 21s prior to his injury, having tasted first-team football at Villa under Unai Emery last season; he made six appearances, including in the Europa Conference League qualifier win over Hibernian, in the semi-final defeat in Olympiakos and in the Premier League fixtures with Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

Kellyman is a little way off Maresca's Chelsea first team for the time being, however, as he bids to return from his long term injury setback. He moved to Chelsea in the summer as they and Villa discussed separate deals for Kellyman and left-back Ian Maatsen, who haded in the opposite direction.