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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Joined the Blues in 2023</li><li>Spent over a year out of action</li><li>Building fitness in training</li></ul>

Catarina Macario is almost back! Chelsea boss Emma Hayes sets time frame for USWNT star's debut after ACL injury

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The talented 24-year-old forward <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-uswnt-catarina-macario-perfect-signing-chelsea-risk/bltbec5823cbf39fa77 " target="_blank">completed a move to west London in the summer of 2023</a> despite nursing a serious ACL injury. That fitness setback was suffered while on the books of French giants Lyon and has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/uswnt-star-catarina-macario-left-out-of-chelsea-2023-24-champions-league-squad-uncertainty-recovery-injury/bltc7e365bd8e493205" target="_blank">kept the United States international sidelined for over a year</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Macario is still waiting on a first appearance for Chelsea, but her patience may soon be rewarded. The Blues have eased the 17-cap star back into first-team training, with no risks being taken as yet. There is, however, a chance that Macario could soon be included in Hayes’ matchday plans.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Chelsea boss Hayes has said when asked to pick out a potential date for Macario’s Blues bow: “Do I think she could make the bench for Crystal Palace? She has to feel confident. She's been out a long time. So on one level I could say yes, she will. But the reality is just psychologically, she just feels she needs a little bit more time in training with the team. She's training with the team in all aspects, but she just doesn't feel quite ready yet. So I'd say slim chance before international break. High chance directly after it.”

WHAT HAYES SAID ABOUT MACARIO

Chelsea are set to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday. They will then have a crunch WSL clash with fellow title hopefuls Manchester City before reaching the next international break. A return to domestic action against Leicester on March 3 may be a more suitable date for Macario – who will soon be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/does-emma-hayes-want-job-men-football-uswnt-chelsea-wsl-title-winning-coach-responds-future-questions/bltf9f9c8abebd29703" target="_blank">working with Hayes in the USWNT set-up</a> – to make her debut in English football.

WHAT NEXT FOR MACARIO?

Catarina Macario is almost back! Chelsea boss Emma Hayes sets time frame for USWNT star's debut after ACL injury | Goal.com

Catarina Macario is closing in on a long-awaited debut for Chelsea, with Emma Hayes revealing a possible injury return date for the USWNT star.

Catarina Macario is almost back! Chelsea boss Emma Hayes sets time frame for USWNT star&apos;s debut after ACL injury