Mauricio Pochettino confirms huge double Chelsea injury blow before Tottenham clash

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi will miss Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend. The Blues will welcome the Lilywhites to Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening as either side hopes to climb the Premier League table.

Chelsea will be determined to take a step towards securing Europa League qualification, meanwhile, Spurs will be keen make their games in hand over Aston Villa count in the race for top-four. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Pochettino declared he will be without two key players.

"No good news because we cannot recover any players from the list but have added Thiago and Disasi," said the former Tottenham boss. "They will not be available for tomorrow."

Then, on the west London outfit's injury problems this season, Pochettino added: "I need to be honest, all I can say is it is a new process, a new institute, we can do better of course. We all feel responsibility.

"Then it is circumstances that happen and it is difficult to explain with sentences. We are working in trying to improve. We have amazing medical staff, performance area coaching staff – we all have experience in this business."

Chelsea head into the clash following a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday evening. The Blues clawed back a two-goal deficit in the second-half, thanks to strikes from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher.

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When quizzed on his side's performance at Villa Park, Pochettino said: "Every single game is a challenge and tomorrow we have a big challenge against Tottenham, a great team. It will be a nice game to play. It is a great opportunity for some kids to have some opportunity to be on the bench or maybe play."

The Chelsea boss will, of course, face his former club this weekend. The 52-year-old said: "I think it was special when we played there. Tomorrow is a different thing. It is always emotional but I cannot hide my emotions for the club and it is going to be emotional because when you face your former team and the history was good, for those you remember.

"But as I told you before, it is 90 minutes and we want to win," added Pochettino, who will also be making his 400th appearance as a manager in England. "Amazing. It's a dream come true.

'For me, to think and come here to England, it was impossible but after the decision of my wife and my friend here, Jesus, they convinced me to join Southampton. It was one of the best decisions in my life to enjoy this great football country. It is like home.

"Every single period was an amazing challenge for us. When we arrived at Southampton, nobody knows us and we had to translate the idea to England."