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Nkunku, Gusto, James - Chelsea injury news and return dates after West Ham as six return

Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku returned after 12 weeks out for Chelsea -Credit:Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images


Chelsea did their hopes of securing a top-six finish a great deal of help as they shrugged aside a sorry West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Goals from Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Conor Gallagher, and Nicolas Jackson ensured three points for the Blues as they kept up their fight with Manchester United and Newcastle.

Not only was it a dominant showing from Mauricio Pochettino's men, but there was also the re-introduction of some key figures that have been missing for much of the season. With three games to go, it is all to play for in the attempt to secure European football next season.

There is now once again another full week of preparation for Pochettino and his side before they head to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest. Chelsea then finish their season off with a trip to Brighton next week before ending with Bournemouth at home.

Here, football.london has the latest from the treatment room.

Christopher Nkunku

Nkunku made his first appearance in three months against West Ham. He was a second-half substitute and played 15 minutes.

Injury: Hamstring.

What Pochettino has said: N/A.

Possible return date: Returned.

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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.

He was an unused substitute against West Ham.

Injury: Toe.

What Pochettino has said: N/A.

Possible return date: Returned.

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.

He was named on the bench against the Hammers but wasn't called on.

Injury: Groin.

What Pochettino has said: N/A.

Possible return date: Returned.

Thiago Silva

Silva returned to the starting XI against Wes Ham after missing Tottenham with a groin injury. He was given a standing ovation in his penultimate match at Stamford Bridge.

Injury: Groin.

What Pochettino has said: N/A.

Possible return date: Returned.

Raheem Sterling

Sterling was added to Chelsea's weekly injury report shortly before the Aston Villa clash. He missed the win over Tottenham and was a substitute against West Ham. The 28-year-old didn't come on.

Injury: Back.

What Pochettino has said: N/A.

Possible return date: Returned.

Malo Gusto

Gusto was absent from the matchday squad against Tottenham but returned against West Ham. He came on for the final 10 minutes.

Injury: Knee.

What Pochettino has said: N/A.

Possible return date: Returned.

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: Nottingham Forest (A) – Saturday, May 11.

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.

Ben Chilwell

Chilwell was absent from the matchday squad against Tottenham and West Ham. 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.