Graham Potter is getting closer to having a fully-fit Chelsea squad as he continues to intergrate returning players back into the fold. It was just one month ago that he had a full XI of players unavailable to him through fitness issues and knocks.
Although the boss has remained cautious when it comes to overexerting his players, there have certainly been moves to get some of the club's most important stars back on the field. Reece James and Ben Chilwell played just their third match of the season together against Tottenham, for example.
Denis Zakaria also appeared off the bench but there were continued blows for Mateo Kovacic, who missed the match with illness having only made his first start in recent weeks against Southampton. Raheem Sterling was another that was able to play from the off having been a substitute at Stamford Bridge eight days earlier.
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It wasn't all good news though as Thiago Silva was forced off in the first half with knee ligament damage after colliding with Harry Kane in an attempt to block a shot. The Brazilian is now expected to be out of action for over a month and won't return to club action until after the international break in three weeks.
That will come as a major blow for Potter, who has relied upon the 38-year-old to anchor his defence and would have been crucial to plans against Leeds and Borussia Dortmund next week. There are no new fresh injury worries heading into that game yet though. Potter will update football.london on that matter on Friday but as of now, Wednesday, progress is being made.
In this category of getting closer to returns are N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic. The Frenchman has been out since August and has played less than 180 minutes of football this season, needing surgery after a setback from his initial period out. The 31-year-old is also closing in on a new contract to keep him at the club.
"We've had a good week's training, everyone is available pretty much apart from N'Golo and Christian Pulisic," Potter said before the defeat to Tottenham. "They are making progress, joining the warm-ups, and they will be more integrated next week. So that is good."
Leeds is still likely to come too soon for both of them though with no gametime build-up as of yet. Elsewhere there is still no sign of Edouard Mendy after his broken finger has kept him out of the side with Kepa Arrizabalaga remaining first choice. Despite his impressive form under Potter his underlying numbers have regressed to the mean with the Spaniard attracting criticism for his role in Oliver Skipp's opening goal on Sunday.
Cesar Azpilicueta is recovering from a head injury after he was kicked against Southampton by a wayward acrobatic attempt. He cannot be seen in the latest training images but has been at Cobham, watching on from the sidelines with his manager last week. "He's as ok as can be when you've had that concussion," Potter said.
"He won't be ready for the weekend as we have to go through the protocols, but he's doing well." Whether he is in a state to feature against Leeds is yet to be seen.
Armando Broja is a long term absentee and won't be back until next season with anterior cruciate ligament damage.
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