Chelsea have issued an injury update ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest. Robert Sanchez, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are expected to miss out.
Per Jake Stokes of Football.London, the Blues could welcome back Reece James and Lesley Ugochukwu after the pair returned to training. Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku came through unscathed after their returns against West Ham, so the pair will feature against Forest.
What’s the latest on James?
James is back in training with the first-team but is short of match fitness. He might make the matchday squad at best, but it remains to be seen if he’ll feature.
The 24-year-old spent five months out after undergoing surgery, so Mauricio Pochettino won’t want to risk a setback by rushing him.
Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah are available at right-back in James’ stead, so Pochettino has options.
What’s been said about Ugochukwu?
Ugochukwu has been sidelined for more than five months with a hamstring injury.
The 20-year-old has returned to training like James but is also short of match fitness, so he won’t be rushed back.
Ugochukwu could make the matchday squad if Pochettino considers him ready, but he might not feature him against Forest.
Will Sanchez, Chilwell, Chukwuemeka, Fernandez, Fofana or Lavia return this season?
Chelsea confirmed Sanchez returned to partial first-team training, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be brought back before the season comes to a close. Djordje Petrovic has been an able deputy in his absence.
Chilwell is continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme after a knee injury, so he’s unlikely to return against Forest. Carney Chukwuemeka is also continuing his rehabilitation, so he won’t feature against the Reds either.
Fernandez, Fofana and Lavia are likely to miss the remainder of the campaign as they’re still completing their respective rehabilitation programme. Chelsea have coped well in their absence, but they’ll be useful players next season.
