Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has made his long-awaited return to football after nine months out with injury. Zouma, 21, has been sidelined since February after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury when he landed awkwardly in a Premier League match against Manchester United. The France defender was given a 45 minute run-out for Chelsea’s Under-23 side against Derby County on Monday night, and with the reserve team mirroring Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 formation, got a glimpse into what he can expect upon his return to the first team squad. <strong>More Chelsea news:</strong> <strong>• Richard Jolly: </strong><a href="http://www.thenational.ae/sport/english-premier-league/jose-mourinhos-decisions-as-much-as-players-at-fault-for-man-uniteds-chelsea-mauling">Jose Mourinho's decisions, as much as players, at fault for Man United's Chelsea mauling</a> <strong>• Premier League Team of the Week: </strong><a href="http://www.thenational.ae/sport/english-premier-league/premier-league-team-of-the-week-chelsea-troika-in-for-tearing-manchester-united-apart">Chelsea troika in for tearing Manchester United apart</a> <strong>• Greg Lea: </strong><a href="http://www.thenational.ae/sport/chelsea/as-mourinho-has-no-answer-in-conte-chelsea-fans-would-rather-have-no-other-manager">As Mourinho has no answer, in Conte Chelsea fans would rather have no other manager</a> While the sight of Zouma returning to action will be welcome news to Chelsea, his return was not entirely successful. Zouma gave away a penalty in the 35th minute after mistiming a challenge on Charles Vernam. However, it will be minutes, more than performance, that are more important at this stage of Zouma’s rehabilitation. Zouma took to Twitter after his first game back to thank Chelsea fans for their support. Chelsea’s next fixture is a League Cup tie on Wednesday against London rivals West Ham United. <strong>Follow us on Twitter </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/NatSportUAE">@NatSportUAE</a> <strong>Like us on Facebook at </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalSport/">facebook.com/TheNationalSport</a>