Graham Potter has revealed that Raheem Sterling will be a doubt for Chelsea's clash against West Ham as a number of stars return to training. The Blues boss does not believe he will have any new options to face the Hammers but Sterling's knock that he picked up in training could rule him out.
Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria have all featured in training in some form this week week, while N'Golo Kante is progressing well and football.london understands Kante has undertaken some very light work with his teammates but is not yet back in full training with the first-team group.
Chelsea remain without Edouard Mendy, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja, but generally recoveries appear to be trending in the right direction. However, Sterling sees the head coach without another option.
READ MORE: Chelsea press conference LIVE: Graham Potter on West Ham, Joao Felix, Kovacic, Zakaria, Kante
Potter said in his press conference: "They are getting closer and closer. Wesley has been training with the team, Denis has been training with the team. We've had a little setback with Raheem, he is doubtful. He got a kick in training at the side of his knee. Mateo is training with the team but it'll be too soon for him."
Potter can welcome Joao Felix into his squad for the clash, however. The Atletico Madrid loanee was sent off in his debut against Fulham at Craven Cottage and as a result was suspended for matches against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Fulham (at Stamford Bridge).
His return comes with plenty of clamour to see an impact in the starting XI following the excitement he provided against the Cottagers prior to his red card. Potter called for patience, however.
He added: "When you're coaching players there is a process to go through and you have to understand the context. There will be lots of talk about pressure and time and if I had a month of time every time I've been asked that question, I would have been here for 10 years."
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