Chelsea look in a much healthier position injury-wise than in recent months for their Premier League clash with Tottenham today.
Denis Zakaria, Mateo Kovacic and Wesley Fofana have all been welcomed back into the matchday squad recently, following in the footsteps of Reece James and Benv Chilwell. Raheem Sterling also returned but he suffered a minor setback in training that saw him placed back on the treatment table, but the England international made his second comeback last weekend against Southampton.
As for fresh injury news, Graham Potter is expected to still be without at least four first-team stars, although two of the absent quad could be returning soon. N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic each took a significant step in their respective recoveries, joining in for training in a limited capacity that means they will almost certainly miss this afternoon's London derby.
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With that said, football.london has taken a look at the latest injury news at Chelsea ahead of the blockbuster clash against Spurs.
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic looks set to be closing in on a return to the Chelsea matchday squad after nearly two months out with a knee injury. Posting to his Instagram story, the United States international revealed he is back training on the pitches at Cobham with a picture alongside Mason Mount.
What Potter said: "We've had a good week's training, everyone is available pretty much apart from N'Golo and Christian Pulsiic. They are making progress, joining the warm-ups, and they will be more integrated next week. So that is good."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: March
N'Golo Kante
Kante, who sees is contract expire in the summer - although Chelsea are now very confident he will sign a new deal, as football.london understands - is yet to feature under Potter after suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham in August. The France international has been doing some light training with the rest of the Chelsea squad at Cobham recently as he builds his match fitness, football.london understands.
It's said that the 31-year-old is targeting a return to first-team action in March.
What Potter said: "We've had a good week's training, everyone is available pretty much apart from N'Golo and Christian Pulsiic. They are making progress, joining the warm-ups, and they will be more integrated next week. So that is good."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March
Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta sustained a concussion against Southampton last week following a collisions with Sekou Mara. The defender left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital but he's on the mend now as he eyes a return.
What Potter said: "He's [Azpilicueta] as ok as can be when you've had that concussion. He won't be ready for the weekend as we have to go through the protocols, but he's doing well."
Injury: Concussion
Expected return date: Early March
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed early in January that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training, meaning he will be absent from the squad for some time. The Senegalese shot-stopper was expected to miss at least six weeks, and has yet to return.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Chelsea are set to be without Broja until at least the summer months, after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury is a major blow with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour at present.
Broja is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needs surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london understands.
What Potter said: ''It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.''
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Summer/Autumn 2023
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