Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour admits the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was his moment to grow up.

The teenager rose to the spotlight with his club after excellent performances against Liverpool and Everton last season.

But then he had to wait months before the next matches due to the pandemic related lockdowns.

Then he suffered a knee injury and is only just getting back to fitness.

"It's been a long time out with my first major injury," he told reporters.

"It was disappointing to get it but now I'm back and feeling strong and I can't wait to get going again.

"Just being back on the pitch, working hard in training and being back with the lads, it really helps you a lot to come back into training with this game coming up. It's helped me a lot and I can't wait.

"When I was in the team playing, doing well, and then to get that injury was disappointing, but I've been back for a couple of weeks now, been working hard in training to get myself back in the team.

"When I was injured it was tough. It was during lockdown as well, where you can't do much, so I was stuck in the house watching a lot of football, coming into the training ground doing my work.

"But then I started getting out of the crutches, started seeing positive steps. I was doing a lot more in the gym and getting to go outside and do a bit of jogging and passing the ball. So as soon as I went back on the pitch I was fine, my head was fine mentally.

"I've grown up. During lockdown as well, I moved into my own place, so it was a bit difficult, but with the injury I took good care of myself. I have to do all the bills and the cooking, it's going well. My mum's been helping me. She's not down any more, but it was good when she was here because I could just watch!"