Jose Mourinho's Chelsea departure has opened the door for a possible Stamford Bridge return for Eva Carneiro.
Sky sources understand a number of senior players remain upset at the way in which the popular doctor left the club.
Carneiro remains out of work and still lives close to the Chelsea training ground in Cobham.
Lawyers for all sides are due to come face-to-face on January 6 ahead of a potential full employment tribunal in June.
Last month Carneiro lodged claims for sex discrimination against Mourinho - claims for which he is still liable for despite his departure from the club.
Carneiro also claimed reinstatement at the club along with personal injury compensation and aggravated damages from the club.
Chelsea and Mourinho had 49 days to register their defence against those claims - and as things stand, it is understood that no defence (or ET3 form as it is known) has been lodged with the tribunal from either the former manager or the club - and neither have asked for an extension.
It is difficult at this stage to conclude what will happen now but Chelsea may look to settle the five-month dispute in the coming weeks.