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Mauricio Pochettino has been given two huge boosts ahead of Chelsea's clash against Manchester City this weekend. The Blues will welcome the Premier League champions to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in what is set to be a blockbuster clash before the international break.
On Friday afternoon, Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia were both pictured back outside on the training pitches at Cobham. While the duo are expected to make their returns until at least late November, maybe December at best, Pochettino will be delighted to see them back in action.
Despite impressive performances from the likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea have certainly missed Nkunku and Lavia so far this term. So, with a lot to look forward to at the moment for Blues fans, football.london has taken a look at all the latest injury news from the treatment room at the club's training base in Surrey.
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku is still yet to play a competitive game for Chelsea following his transfer from RB Leipzig in the summer. The 25-year-old was dealt a major blow to his knee during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
He has taken his recovery programme to the next level and, for the very first time since the summer, Nkunku has been spotted outside on the training pitches at Cobham in his Chelsea gear. Pochettino has also revealed that the Frenchman is targeting an ambitious return soon after the international break!
What Pochettino has said: "We had some conversation and he said to me, 'Coach, I want to be ready for after the international break, Newcastle'. I asked him yesterday and he said 'hmmm', and I said 'you are liar'. 'No, no I am ready'. It is close and he is doing really well. We are so happy with him, the way he is recovering, he is very professional."
Possible return date: Newcastle United (A) - Saturday, November 25
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez was on the receiving end of a reckless challenge from Cristian Romero in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Tottenham on Monday night and he was taken off just before the hour mark as a precaution. On Wednesday, the midfielder posted an update on his availability ahead of the weekend and he's since been in first-team training as normal.
What Fernandez said: "Thank you all for your messages. I am good, working in my recovery to get to the weekend in the best way *blue heart emoji*."
Possible return date: Manchester City (H) - Sunday, November 12
Armando Broja
Broja was omitted from the matchday squad to face Tottenham earlier this week. The striker is currently nursing a minor knee issue.
What Pochettino said: "
Possible return date: Manchester City (H) - Sunday, November 12
Romeo Lavia
On Friday afternoon, either before or after he headed outside to the training pitches at Cobham, Lavia posted a selfie to his Instagram story. The youngster also accompanied the image with a picture of his tied football boots, with a smiley face and blue heart emoji as his caption.
Lavia has been nursing an ankle issue since he arrived at Stamford Bridge and he's still yet to make his debut for the Blues. Last month, the Belgian was dealt a major setback on his road to recovery, pushing his return date back to late November, maybe December.
What Pochettino said: "Romeo Lavia is also close. They trained today on the pitch. Hope that next week will be involved with the team and see after. Day by day see when it is possible to play with the team."
Possible return date: December
Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah has been nursing a thigh injury and is still yet to feature for Chelsea this season.
Possible return date: Unknown
Carney Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka picked up a knock ahead of the meeting with Arsenal and then made the bench against Burnley, but the midfielder has since been hit with another setback. He has struggled with a knee problem which he suffered against West Ham earlier in the campaign.
Possible return date: Unknown
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell suffered a knock towards the end of Chelsea's clash with Brighton in the Carabao Cup at the end of September. Unfortunately for the Blues defender, the club quickly realised that the muscle issue was worse than first thought and, a month later, he's still out of action.
What Pochettino said: "I can not tell you [when he will be back]. It is difficult to know. He is away from the training ground now and we will wait for him to come back to see the situation. Hopefully, he can recover as soon as possible."
Possible return date: December
Wesley Fofana
Fofana is set to miss most of the season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season training ahead of the tour of America. Yet, while it remains to be seen when he will return, he's posted a promising update to his Instagram story. Without a caption, Fofana is seen lying down on a gym mat at Cobham training ground conducting a test on his right thigh.
Possible return date: April 2024
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