Mauricio Pochettino provides update on two of Chelsea’s injured stars | OneFootball

Mauricio Pochettino has stated two Chelsea stars are close to making a return to action before the end of the season.

The Blues have been plagued by injuries this season, and 12 first team players will miss Saturday night’s game against Aston Villa.

Injuries have made it very difficult for Pochettino to field a consistent side this campaign, with several key players unavailable for large parts of the season.

The Blues have struggled with defensive injuries, particularly recently, with Reece James, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill all on the sidelines.

James has missed the majority of the season with a hamstring injury, whilst Colwill has been out for nearly two months, but it appears there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.

Pochettino has revealed the pair, who were back in what the club describe as partial team training this week, are closing in on a return.

“They are not available yet. They are close. They were doing partial training, but they are not available”, the Argentine told his pre match press conference.

With the pair ruled out for the Villa game it means Pochettino faces a tough task on who to select in his backline to try and contain Ollie Watkins and co.

Academy graduate Alfie Gilchrist was handed his first Premier League start at right back against Arsenal, but the Argentine may be tempted to go with the more experienced Axel Disasi or Trevoh Chalobah in that position on Saturday night.

Thiago Silva and Chalobah will likely return to the starting line-up with Marc Cucurella continuing at left back in the absence of Ben Chilwell.

In positive news for Pochettino star man Cole Palmer is fit and available again following a bout of illness, which caused him to miss the defeat to Arsenal.

The Blues head to Villa Park in desperate need of a win to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for Europe.