Chelsea still have a long list of players who will miss next week’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are finally finding some consistency under Mauricio Pochettino, but this has proved difficult as injuries continue to mount.
Christopher Nkunku is the latest player to miss the first half of the season with a groin injury. Nkunku has made just four league appearances for Chelsea and only once since his £52million move from RB Leipzig in the summer.
Pochettino hopes to return for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, meaning he should be fit for Villa.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez missed the game against Everton at the start of December with a knee injury, but Pochettino hopes the Spaniard can return at the end of January. That would have put his presence in the match against Villa in doubt. However, his back-up Djorje Petrovic was impressive.
Trevok Chalobah could be back in time for Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Villa after returning to full squad training. The defender has not made a single appearance for the Blues this season.
Romeo Rabia made his Chelsea debut at the end of December with a groin problem and the injury ruled him out for the next game against Luton Town. Pochettino admitted he does not know if the teenager will return soon or if it will take longer.
Mark Cucurella has undergone ankle surgery and could be out for at least three months, while Rhys James is another Chelsea defender set to miss time.
Midfielder Leslie Ugochukwu is currently recovering from injury and will not be fit for the Villa match. Wesley Fofana was long gone.
