Latest Chelsea Injury News And Expected Return Dates: Updates On Badiashile, Nkunku And 5 Others
Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile is back in team training ahead of Monday’s fixture against Newcastle.
The Frenchman picked up a groin injury during the win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup at the start of February.
Badiashile was set to be sidelined for at least a month so he is set to return to action right on schedule.
It is expected that he will be named on the bench by Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino when his side take on the Magpies next week.
Expected Return Date – Monday 11th March v Newcastle
Romeo Lavia was tipped to make his comeback from a thigh injury in mid-March but there is no indication that he has returned to training yet.
The Belgian international has not been seen since he made his debut as a second-half substitute during the 2-1 home win against Crystal Palace back in late December.
It has been a nightmare first season for Lavia, who had already spent several months on the sidelines with an ankle problem earlier in the campaign.
While the midfielder is not expected to feature against Newcastle, it is still hoped he will be available before the international break.
Expected Return Date – Sunday 17th March v Leicester City (FA Cup)
Reece James is in light training as he builds up his fitness after surgery on his injured hamstring.
It was estimated that the right-back would be sidelined for at least four months but there is hope that he could return slightly earlier than expected.
Christopher Nkunku is currently in rehab after sustaining a hamstring injury after the Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool.
It is believed that the attacking midfielder will be out for a month so his comeback has been pencilled in for after the international break.
Expected Return Date – Saturday 30th March v Burnley
No estimates have been given as to when Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka will be back in contention for selection.
It’s clear that Ugochukwu suffered a serious hamstring injury in the defeat to Wolves on Christmas Eve as he hasn’t been seen since then.
Chukwuemeka, meanwhile, is undergoing rehabilitation on an ankle injury that has kept on the treatment table for the last few weeks.
Pochettino has, though, spoken out on the fitness of Wesley Fofana. The Frenchman is not expected to play this season as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.