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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has provided an update on a number of players ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Brentford. The Blues are looking to continue their unbeaten run and climb further up the table with victory over Thomas Frank's side.
Pochettino's men were denied a huge victory over London rivals Arsenal last time out after seeing a 2-0 lead squandered at Stamford Bridge. Goals by Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk had put the west Londoners ahead in another impressive performance.
This week, Chelsea host Brentford tomorrow and Pochettino has provided an update on the fitness of his squad. The Blues remain without the likes of Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka but could welcome Christopher Nkunku back sooner rather than later.
The Frenchman is recovering from a knee injury picked up in pre-season and is yet to make his competitive debut for the club. "He is doing well, I think he is close, I hope he can be involved soon," Pochettino said. "Maybe after the international break."
Captain Reece James is another player recovering from injury. The right-back made his first appearance since the first game of the season against Arsenal, but Pochettino has claimed it's too soon for him to start. "(He's) still not ready to start, he is training well but tomorrow he is going to be on the bench," the Argentine said.
Despite the encouraging update regarding Nkunku and James, Pochettino has confirmed that Armando Broja is still not available. The striker missed the draw with Arsenal last week but had been spotted in training in the week.
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There will be hope that striker Armando Broja can return to action after being absent last weekend. Since the draw against the Gunners, the Albanian has been spotted back in training at Cobham.
Elsewhere, football.london understands that Ben Chilwell is likely to miss the next two months, leaving Marc Cucurella with an opportunity to stake a claim at left-back. Romeo Lavia is still out having suffered an injury in training and isn't expected to return until late November.
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