Chelsea injury update: Christopher Nkunku, Reece James and Levi Colwill latest news and return dates | OneFootball

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Chelsea bounced back to earn a respectable 2-2 draw away at Aston Villa at the weekend.

After going down 2-0, the Blues showed good character to score two second-half goals and had a last-minute winner ruled out after Benoit Badiashile was judged to have committed a foul in the build-up. It was an especially important result after Chelsea were thrashed 5-0 by rivals Arsenal last week.

Talisman Cole Palmer returned for the game against Villa after missing the Arsenal trouncing, and should be fit for the season run-in. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino again had to rely on a bench full of youth players at Villa Park after 12 of his senior stars were named on the injury report.

Several players returned to first-team training last week though, and Pochettino could get some much needed reinforcements as Chelsea hope to steal the last European spot as they face Tottenham in another London derby at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Thiago Silva

Silva suffered a groin injury against Aston Villa and is being assessed on Monday amid fears that he may have played his final game for the club, having now announced his expected summer departure from Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino said of the veteran Brazilian defender: “We need to assess Thiago Silva and see. It is a pain in his groin, I think it is similar to his injury at Crystal Palace.”

Malo Gusto

Gusto has been absent with a knee ligament injury since Chelsea’s 6-0 demolition of Everton two weeks ago.

Pochettino referred to it last week as a “minor problem” and said “I hope it is not a big issue." It’s still unclear when exactly the Frenchman will return.

Potential return date: Unknown

Enzo Fernandez

Fernandez was recently ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on an ongoing hernia issue.

The Argentine will stay at Chelsea for his rehabilitation, and may be fit enough to return for the Copa America, which starts on June 20.

Potential return date: Summer 2024

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka has struggled with knee injuries this season, and has only featured in 12 games across all competitions. The 20-year-old was deemed fit enough to feature off the bench against Everton, Sheffield United and Manchester United, but failed to make the matchday squad against Villa at the weekend.

Pochettino said: “Carney feels something in his knee, related to his problem before. Hopefully it's not a big issue.”

Raheem Sterling

Sterling missed the matchday squad against Aston Villa with pain in his lower back. It’s unclear when he’ll return but it doesn’t seem to be a long-term issue.

Potential return date: May 2024

Ben Chilwell

Chilwell was absent against Arsenal and Aston Villa, after coming off the bench against Man City and Everton. He has not been fully fit since starting both friendlies for England in late March.

Pochettino said last week: “Chilly, also, after the national team – it's the same problem he suffered in the last few weeks.”

Reece James

Chelsea captain James began partial first-team training last week - the first time he’s trained since undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury in December. He’s not yet available for selection, but may feature before the end of the season.

Pochettino said before the trip to Villa: "No, they [James and Levi Colwill] are not available yet. They are close. Today and yesterday they were doing some partial training with the squad. They are close but still not available."

Potential return date: May 2024

Chelsea captain Reece James returned to partial training at Cobham last week

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Levi Colwill

Colwill has missed Chelsea’s last seven Premier League fixtures with a toe injury. He first picked up the issue against Crystal Palace on February 12, but chose to play through the pain.

He was taken off against Brentford on March 2 after feeling increased pain, and he has been sidelined since.

The 21-year-old has been participating in light training for the past few weeks, and he returned to team training last week.

Potential return date: May 2024

Romeo Lavia

Lavia has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh injury. The £58million summer signing has only featured in one Premier League game this season.

Potential return date: Summer 2024

Christopher Nkunku

Nkunku has missed most of the season with knee, hip and hamstring injuries. He last featured against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 25. He has not made a matchday squad since.

The Frenchman returned to partial training last week, and could potentially play before the end of the season.

Pochettino said of Nkunku, James and Colwill potentially all returning against Tottenham: “We’ll see, it’s not sure.”

Potential return date: May 2024

Lesley Ugochukwu

Ugochukwu is another long-term Chelsea absentee who returned to training last week. He has been absent since December with a hamstring injury. Pochettino has not yet given a specific update on the French midfielder.

Potential return date: May 2024

Wesley Fofana

Fofana has been ruled out since last summer following surgery on a serious knee injury. It’s very unlikely he returns this season.

Robert Sanchez