Ben Chilwell played his first game in more than five months on Tuesday night when he featured as a half-time substitute in Chelsea's 5-0 win over Barrow.

The left back missed Chelsea's final seven games of last season after injuring his knee during a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in April.

Chelsea then tried to sell him over the summer but failed to find a buyer.

Chilwell - who is still under contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2027, having signed an extension last year - wore the captain's armband during the second half on Tuesday.

He was greeted with loud cheers from the stands as he returned to the pitch and he later lapped up more applause after the final whistle.

Chilwell touched the ball 36 times during his 45-minute cameo at Stamford Bridge.

He made three tackles, as well as creating two scoring chances for his team-mates.

Shortly after the game had ended, Chilwell sent a message to Chelsea's fans via Instagram.

Alongside two photos, he posted the words: 'Missed nights at the Bridge in front of you guys', followed by a blue heart emoji.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca fielded many of his squad players against League Two Barrow.

Maresca's starting XI featured zero members of the side that had begun Saturday's 3-0 win away at West Ham.

Christopher Nkunku grabbed his opportunity to impress by scoring the first hat-trick of his Chelsea career. Pedro Neto also found the net.

Chelsea's other goal was officially an own goal scored by Barrow keeper Paul Farman, but it was the product of a fine Joao Felix free-kick.

Felix had earlier produced a stylish assist for Nkunku's opener.

Maresca: Chelsea's youngsters sent a message with emphatic EFL Cup win

Enzo Maresca believes his young Chelsea side sent out a message with their 5-0 thrashing of Barrow in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick, netting twice in the first half before claiming the match ball with his 75th-minute effort.

Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman turned into his own net just before the half-hour mark, with Pedro Neto getting Chelsea's fourth three minutes after the break.

It was just Chelsea's second win at Stamford Bridge under Maresca, after their victory over Servette in August, with the Italian making 11 changes to his line-up as he continues to rotate his squad.

His much-changed team dominated throughout though, having 20 shots, with half of those on target, as they limited their League Two opponents to just five efforts and only one on target.

Maresca was particularly impressed with how Chelsea rose to the challenge he set them prior to kick-off.

"Before the game, I asked the players that even if they are the youngest team in the Premier League, to show how serious we are to me, but also to send a message that, yes, we are young, but we are serious and want to compete," Maresca said, as reported by BBC Sport.

Maresca made another notable change at the break, with Ben Chilwell coming on to replace Malo Gusto, who has recently returned from injury.

Chilwell was one of the players training away from the main squad at the start of Maresca's tenure, but he was unable to secure a move away from the club in the transfer window.

The left-back struggled with injuries last season and was limited to just 21 appearances under Mauricio Pochettino. 

Having reintegrated Chilwell back into the squad and handing him his first minutes since their FA Cup semi-final in April, Maresca was happy with what he saw from the England international.

"Very good. It was not easy for Chilly. He didn't get any minutes this season, but he has shown he is there, he is ready and working well," Maresca said.

"There is not any problem. If we have a chance, we will give him some more minutes."