da bet7k： Mauricio Pochettino has issued injury updates on Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill ahead of the Blues' clash with Newcastle.
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Chelsea battling with injury crisisColwill, Lavia & Nkunku still outRevealed James will start against NewcastleWHAT HAPPENED?
The Argentine manager is battling a mini-injury crisis before making the trip to St. James' Park on Saturday afternoon. Colwill was prevented from joining Gareth Southgate's squad for the November international break due to a shoulder issue while Lavia is still recovering from an ankle problem picked up in the summer. Nkunku, though, is in the final lap of his recovery but remains unavailable against the Magpies.
AdvertisementWHAT POCHETTINO SAID ABOUT COLWILL, NKUNKU AND LAVIA
Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Pochettino said: "Colwill, yes. Lavia and Nkunku still out. It's difficult to assess them. They are in a good condition. Nkunku is a little ahead of Lavia. Doing things with the group last week, still not full recovery."
When asked where he plans to use Nkunku, the 51-year-old said: "Last week, in a few training sessions, still he's not fully recovered to be part of the tactical sessions. He is a player, fantastic player who was the top scorer in the Bundesliga and he can play in different positions. Really bad luck to lose him at the beginning of the season. Step by step we will find the best way for him to fit in the team. He needs to build his form and be in his best XI to then compete with players.
"He needs time, need to be patient with him to start to compete, play. It's not a competition he is used to playing, coming from the Bundesliga and he needs to recover from his injury, to know the league."
GettyWHAT POCHETTINO SAID ABOUT CAICEDO AND JAMES
Pochettino revealed that Moises Caicedo could be carrying a knock, picked up during the international break, and needs further assessment. However, he was more optimistic about Reece James and revealed that he is going to start at Tyneside.
"Today was the last one, Moises Caicedo. Now we need to assess," he said.
"They already know the starting eleven for tomorrow. I'm not going to make it public. All arrive in a normal condition. Already picked the starting eleven. I will give it to you tomorrow."
On James, he added: "We'll see. He's doing well, he's at a very good level. Now you know one player that is going to play."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
The Blues head into this fixture on the back of an eight-goal thriller against Manchester City, that saw both teams share the spoils at the end of 90 minutes. The west London side are gradually finding their feet under Pochettino and will hope to emerge triumphant over Newcastle, who succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth last time out.