Luiz Felipe Scolari yesterday received a boost before Chelsea's opening Barclays Premier League match against Portsmouth when José Bosingwa returned to training after three weeks out with a thigh injury. The Portugal right back has not played since limping off 20 minutes into his debut against Ghangzhou Pharmaceutical in China last month, but has an outside chance of being fit to face Harry Redknapp's side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Bosingwa was signed for £16.1million from FC Porto before Scolari was appointed in June, but has already become integral to the new manager's plans. In an attempt to shoehorn Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Deco into midfield, the Brazilian is planning to start the season with a 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation, which relies on the full backs to provide width.

Bosingwa is the most attacking full back at the club and is likely to flourish in such a system, while Ashley Cole can also look forward to being given more licence after his natural instincts were stymied by José Mourinho and Avram Grant. Essien missed training with a knock yesterday, but is expected to have recovered by the weekend.

Scolari has told his players that their priority this season should be to regain the Premier League title from Manchester United, but Deco insists they can win the Champions League as well. And the Portugal international should know, having lifted the trophy with FC Porto and Barcelona. “Of course I'd love to win the Champions League with Chelsea,” Deco said. “I truly believe that what I see at Chelsea is a lot of quality and I think we have everything necessary to win the Champions League and also the Premier League again, too.”

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