Chelsea have received injury boosts ahead of their FA Cup clash with Manchester City this weekend, with Enzo Fernandez returning to full training and Christopher Nkunku stepping up his return.
Fernandez missed the 6-0 loss to Everton with a hernia issue, and there have been rumours that he would opt for surgery.
However, the Argentine international is training again and ready to get back into the thick of the action.
Conor Gallagher played deeper in Fernandez’s absence and put in a decent shift in the centre. Manager Mauricio Pochettino now faces a huge dilemma with City waiting at Wembley Stadium this weekend.
The Blues looked solid and more compact without the former Benfica man. The manager may be tempted to stick to the same starting XI that mullered Everton on Monday.
Nkunku’s injury has been a cause for concern among the Chelsea faithful, with the €60 million summer signing battling fitness issues.
The French international has been out of action since the League Cup final on February 25 but has returned to partial training.
It has been a nightmare debut campaign for the former RB Leipzig forward, who has missed most of the season through injury and failed to establish himself in the first team.
However, Nkunku hopes to put these fitness worries behind him and play a crucial role for the Blues on the run-in as they bid to salvage something from a disappointing season.
Chelsea can secure European football this season with a late push. The two-time Champions League winners are currently in ninth position and can close the gap on sixth-placed Newcastle United by winning their game in hand.
Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling have also rejoined first-team training and will look to give Chelsea a much-needed boost for the final stretch.
