Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia injury update as Enzo Maresca offers fresh Chelsea boost
Chelsea have been handed mixed injury news ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Barrow this week. The Blues will face the League Two club in the third round of the competition on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca has been forced to deal with several injury concerns in the early weeks of the season, including club captain Reece James as well as Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia. In the case of Gusto and Lavia, the duo have been sidelined with hamstring injuries in recent weeks. Gusto has not played since the draw with Crystal Palace on September 1, while Lavia has made just two appearances this season and has not played since August 22 against Servette in the Europa League qualifier.
Maresca was asked to provide an update on both Lavia and Gusto when the Chelsea boss held his pre-match press conference this week. Maresca confirmed that Gusto is in line to return following the injury, while Lavia remains sidelined for the time being.
"Malo [Gusto] is available for tomorrow," Maresca told reporters on Monday. "Romeo [Lavia] is not available for tomorrow, hopefully he can be available for the Brighton game."
After taking on Barrow in the Carabao Cup in midweek, Chelsea will return to Premier League action this weekend to host Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were both doubts heading into the weekend's win over West Ham in the top flight. The duo had missed the win over Bournemouth the previous week through illness and are now back in the matchday squad.
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Omari Kellyman remains sidelined with a hamstring injury following his summer arrival from Aston Villa and is yet to make his first senior appearance for the Blues.