Chelsea defender Thiago Silva is facing an “uphill battle” to be fit for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, according to The Telegraph.

The 39-year-old picked up a groin problem during the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last week, and he did not make the squad for the draw against Manchester City on Saturday.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino initially played down the seriousness of Silva’s injury, stating it was a “minor” issue. However, it appears that the defender is unlikely to be in the starting lineup to face Liverpool this weekend.

The Telegraph claim that the best the Brazilian can probably hope for is a place on the substitutes bench at Wembley.

Chelsea’s defence can cope without Silva

As we saw against City, both Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill showed that they are more than capable of handling the best forwards in the country.

Disasi, in particular, was outstanding at the Etihad and, if Silva is absent on Sunday, the Frenchman will need to step up to the plate and act as the leader in the backline once again.

A Chelsea and Liverpool injury update

While Silva is struggling, two other players could return for the Carabao Cup final. Robert Sanchez (knee) and Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle) are said to be winning the race to be fit in time.

However, Romeo Lavia (thigh), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (groin), Reece James (hamstring) and Wesley Fofana (ACL) are all unavailable.

The Blues’ opponents Liverpool have their own injury problems. Up to 10 players could be missing this weekend. Mo Salah (tight hamstring) is the latest to suffer a fitness setback.

The Egyptian international is a doubt for the final along with Darwin Nunez (muscular) and Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring). The likes of Alisson Becker (hamstring), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Curtis Jones (shin), Diogo Jota (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (muscular), Thiago Alcantara (muscular) and Joel Matip (ACL) have already been ruled out.