Colwill, Gilchrist, Nkunku - Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of West Ham clash

Chelsea have been hampered by injuries all season and that trend has continued for Mauricio Pochettino's side. The Blues saw absentees hit double figures in recent weeks with defensive duo Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi the latest to be added to the club's injury list.

Despite all the fitness blows, Chelsea still comfortably beat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. Coming out of that clash however, a new injury blow emerged but thankfully for Pochettino a double boost looks set to arrive with the returns of Christopher Nkunku and Levi Colwill.

At least 12 players though could still miss the clash against West Ham with no fresh updates provided on the likes of Malo Gusto, Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling. With that said, football.london has taken a look at the latest Chelsea injury news before this afternoon's clash.

Alfie Gilchrist

Late into the clash against Tottenham, Alfie Gilchrist was withdrawn with a possible injury.

Injury: N/A

What Pochettino has said: N/A

Possible return date: N/A

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Christopher Nkunku

Nkunku is now back in full first-team team training. The 26-year-old forward has been out for most of the season due to various injuries and setbacks.

Injury: Hamstring.

What Pochettino has said: "They were training today normally. We prepared for the game tomorrow, we were doing some set-pieces, tactical work and meetings. They are nearly [there] but they are on the line, but they still have not crossed the line. Maybe for Sunday against West Ham, maybe they will be ready. We hope."

Possible return date: West Ham (H) - Sunday, May 5.

Levi Colwill

Colwill has been nursing a toe injury, which has caused him to miss some big games for Chelsea. The 21-year-old defender returned to full training ahead of the Tottenham clash, but he didn't quite make the matchday squad.

Injury: Toe.

What Pochettino has said: “They [Colwill and Nkunku] were training today normally. We prepared for the game tomorrow, we were doing some set-pieces, tactical work and meetings.

"They are nearly [there] but they are on the line, but they still have not crossed the line. Maybe for Sunday against West Ham, maybe they will be ready. We hope.”

Possible return date: West Ham (H) - Sunday, May 5.

Axel Disasi

On Wednesday, Pochettino confirmed that Disasi would be unavailable for the Tottenham game. The defender has been nursing a groin issue since replacing Thiago Silva in the second half of the Aston Villa clash last weekend.

Injury: Groin.

What Pochettino has said: "No good news because we cannot recover any players from the list but have added Thiago [Silva] and Disasi, they will not be available."

Possible return date: West Ham (H) – Sunday, May 5.

Thiago Silva

Pochettino also confirmed that Silva would miss the Spurs tie on Wednesday. He'll be hoping to return to action soon after recently confirming his decision to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Injury: Groin.

What Pochettino has said: "No good news because we cannot recover any players from the list but have added Thiago [Silva] and Disasi, they will not be available."

Possible return date: West Ham (H) – Sunday, May 5.

Reece James

James has just been involved in partial first-team training recently after an extended period on the sidelines. The 24-year-old defender has been undergoing rehabilitation for a muscle issue, which has kept him out of action for a large chunk of the season.

Injury: Hamstring.

What Pochettino has said: "They 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."

Possible return date: West Ham (H) – Sunday, May 5.

Raheem Sterling

Sterling was added to Chelsea's weekly injury report shortly before the Aston Villa clash. He's participated in partial team training since, though he too was absent from the matchday squad which faced Spurs.

Injury: Back.

What Pochettino has said: "Sterling suffered a pain in his lower back. Hopefully, it's not a big issue and they [Sterling and Chukwuemeka] can be available as soon as possible because now we are going to lose two players who were there and thinking [they] can help the team."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme. After enjoying a great start to the campaign, the 20-year-old midfielder has sadly been riddled with injuries and setbacks.

Injury: Knee.

What Pochettino has said: "Carney feels something in his knee. Related to his problem before. Hopefully it's not a big issue and they can be available as soon as possible because now we are going to lose two players who were there and thinking [they] can help the team."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing groin surgery. The Argentine was forced off against Everton during the 6-0 win for the Blues but has been forced to go under the knife to correct the issue.

In a statement, the club wrote: "Enzo Fernandez has today undergone successful surgery on a groin issue and will now begin a period of rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of Chelsea’s 2023/24 season.

"The 23-year-old midfielder will work with the club's medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham."

Injury: Groin.

What Pochettino has said: "At the moment he feels the pain and he feels the limitations because of the problem. The most important thing is to fix the problem for him. If he does not feel well, he cannot perform because of the situation, it's not good for him, the team or the club."

Possible return date: Next season.

Malo Gusto

Gusto was absent from the matchday squad against Tottenham. The right-back is 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.'

Injury: Knee.

What Pochettino has said: "Malo suffered a minor problem in his knee ligaments. I am not a doctor, but you asked me and I respect trying to translate what is going on. I hope it is not a big issue."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Ben Chilwell

Chilwell was absent from the matchday squad against Tottenham He's also 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.'

Injury: Unknown.

What Pochettino has said: "Chilly, also, after the national team – it's the same problem he suffered in the last few weeks."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Robert Sanchez

Sanchez has been out of the side for a while now, with Marcus Bettinelli stepping into the number two role. The Spaniard shot-stopper is now back in partial team training.

Injury: Unknown.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Lesley Ugochukwu

Ugochukwu has returned to partial team training after four months out. The 20-year-old midfielder's last appearance came on Christmas Eve.

Injury: Unknown.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Romeo Lavia

Lavia is 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme'. The 20-year-old midfielder has featured just once for Chelsea this season, having struggled to stay match-fit and escape injury.

Injury: Thigh.

Possible return date: Next season.

Wesley Fofana

Fofana hasn't featured once this season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. The 23-year-old defender has recently returned to training on the pitches at Cobham, though he's considered to be a long way from returning to first-team action.

Injury: ACL.

What Pochettino has said: "Unfortunately, I think it is difficult to see Wes playing this season, but you never know."

Possible return date: Next season.