Chilwell, Fernandez, Colwill – Latest Chelsea injury news and return dates for Leicester FA Cup tie
Latest Chelsea injury news with Mauricio Pochettino missing for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City
Chelsea will be without a number of key players for this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City. As well as injuries, suspensions mean Mauricio Pochettino will have to use his squad at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues secured a valuable three points on Monday evening with a 3-2 win against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk were all on target in the victory with Marc Cucurella featuring for the first time in just over three months.
A start for the Spain international arrived mainly due to the absence of Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill which Pochettino revealed last Thursday. The likes of Christopher Nkunku, Benoit Badiashile and Reece James remain absent, however Pochettino was able to welcome back Carney Chukwuemeka on Monday evening.
With that in mind, football.london has rounded up the latest Chelsea injury news ahead of the huge cup clash against the Championship leaders.
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez has been fatigued in recent weeks but the Chelsea midfielder has continued to play, however he will miss this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester City.
Reason for absence: Suspended.
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Predicted return date: Burnley (H) – Saturday, March 30.
Ben Chilwell
In an injury update posted on the club’s official website, it was confirmed that the left-back is “undergoing specialist medical assessment” due to a knee issue. Pochettino has confirmed it happened after the Brentford game.
Injury: Knee.
Predicted return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: “We need to wait until he sees the specialist. I cannot go in advance. I hope it’s not a big issue but after eight or nine months here at the club, I prefer to wait.”
Levi Colwill
The centre-back is “beginning rehabilitation programme” as the head coach confirmed the 21-year-old has a problem with his toes. He didn’t feature against Newcastle.
Injury: Toes.
Predicted return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: “You all know now that we added the list of injured players, Levi and Chilly.”
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku missed a large chunk of the campaign due to a knee injury which he sustained in pre-season. Since returning from the treatment room, the Frenchman has picked up numerous little knocks and struggled to remain match-fit.
Return date: Unknown.
What Pochettino has said: “I think he suffered a problem in his hamstring and we will see in a few weeks if he can be again available. But yes, now he is doing recovery from Sunday. A little bit unlucky, bad luck because to suffer again another setback.
“It’s always tough for a player that didn’t play too much during the season that also came from the Bundesliga, from Germany, with some problems. He was so good in the pre-season. It is a difficult season for him. It is difficult to accept another injury and to delay to play more consistent.”
Reece James
Shortly after returning from the treatment room in November, James suffered another hamstring injury in Chelsea’s clash against Everton. The defender has been out ever since, but he’s recently begun his recovery phase and is now training on his own.
Injury: Hamstring.
Predicted return date: April.
What Pochettino has said: “I think he feels well. We were talking and he has started his recovery, one day closer to being with the group. This is really positive and we are all positive around him, we are going to help. It is always tough for a player with a very complicated, difficult season for him.
“Now’s the process to start to recover. One day less until he is part of the group. The most important thing is to start to solve the problem and, of course, help him to be strong, being positive.”
