Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile is set to be out until September due to injury, according to reports in the UK.

The France Under 21 international picked up a groin problem in training last week, and he missed the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

It appears Badiashile will be out for the long term and he will not be available for the start of next season.

It is a major blow for incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino, who would have been keen to work with the centre-back, considering his great form since he arrived from Monaco during the January transfer window.

Chelsea could now hand Colwill first team opportunities

The major beneficiary of Badiashile’s injury is likely to be Levi Colwill. The 20-year-old is on loan at Brighton until the end of the season but he will return to Cobham for pre-season training.

There have been doubts about the player’s long-term future at the club, with the likes of Liverpool and City circling. It has been suggested that Colwill may look to leave if he doesn’t get first-team opportunities.

However, Badiashile’s enforced absence should ensure that Colwill gets plenty of minutes at the start of the new campaign.