Chelsea injury update: Thiago Silva, Romeo Lavia and Reece James latest news and return dates

Resurgent Chelsea are still battling a lengthy injury list ahead of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

The Blues head to Wembley for their date with Liverpool suddenly in confident mood having successfully eased the pressure on under-fire head coach Mauricio Pochettino over recent weeks.

Back-to-back 3-1 away wins over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace respectively were followed by a terrific display at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, when Raheem Sterling’s superb counter-attacking goal before half-time had Chelsea just minutes away from pulling off a shock win over in-form Manchester City before Rodri’s emphatic late equaliser.

Such a string of positive performances have given fans renewed hope ahead of Sunday’s final, though Pochettino will be eager to see his list of absentees dwindle quickly in the weeks ahead.

Here is all the latest Chelsea injury news and return dates…

Thiago Silva

The veteran defender was dropped against Aston Villa in the FA Cup but returned to the starting lineup at Crystal Palace, lasting just over an hour before overstretching to block a shot and hurting his groin.

Silva missed the game against City, but could be back in contention for Wembley after Pochettino described his problem as small.

“It’s a minor injury for Thiago but I think he’s out for tomorrow and is not available,” the manager said last Friday.

“After this game we don’t know, we will need to assess him day by day.”

Potential return date: Unknown, pending further assessment

Absent: Thiago Silva missed Chelsea’s clash with Manchester City with a groin injury (REUTERS)

Benoit Badiashile

One Chelsea defender who will definitely miss the Carabao Cup final is Badiashile.

The French centre-back suffered his own groin problem late on in the fourth-round replay at Villa Park and was promptly ruled out for around a month.

Such a timescale would see Badiashile potentially competing to return around the time of Chelsea’s home league meeting with Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on March 11, with a trip to title contenders Arsenal to follow swiftly after that.

Potential return date: March 11, vs Newcastle

Reece James

The Chelsea captain is enduring another nightmare campaign through injury and underwent surgery in Finland just before Christmas in an attempt to finally fix his long-standing hamstring problems.

An exact timescale for his return was not given, with Pochettino initially expressing his desire for the latest lay-off to be weeks, rather than months.

However, we are already closing in on two months since the operation and a return to action for James still seems some way off yet.

Potential return date: Unknown

Romeo Lavia

The Belgian midfielder has made just one substitute appearance since joining Chelsea from Southampton in a £58million transfer in the summer, in the 2-1 home win over Palace just after Christmas.

Lavia missed an initial four months with an ankle injury picked up in training shortly after joining, and has since been sidelined with a thigh issue sustained on his brief debut.

Any hopes that the 20-year-old could return to play some part in the Carabao Cup final were recently quashed firmly by Pochettino.

“No [he won’t be back for Carabao Cup final],” Pochettino said. “He is not training with the team. He is still recovering. Impossible. He is still not on the pitch.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Marc Cucurella

Cucurella last featured for Chelsea in the 2-0 away defeat by Everton at Goodison Park on December 10, having suffered an ankle issue that it was originally hoped was just a twist but later needed surgery.

The Spanish left-back was pictured back out on the grass at Cobham late last week and it appears that he is stepping up his return bid, though match fitness seems likely to remain several weeks away as things stand.

Potential return date: March 2024

Lesley Ugochukwu

The French midfielder returned from a month out with a hamstring injury in the 2-1 loss at Wolves on Christmas Eve and suffered a recurrence that has kept him in the treatment room ever since.

Ugochukwu was initially slated to miss six weeks, though that time period has now elapsed and there has been no mention of a possible return coming up.

Potential return date: Unknown

Setback: Lesley Ugochukwu suffered the recurrence of a hamstring injury at Wolves (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka joined Thiago Silva back on Chelsea’s injury report last week after suffering a twisted ankle during training three days before the trip to City.

The former Aston Villa youngster played no part at the Etihad, though the issue did not sound serious and it could be that he is back in contention for the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

Potential return date: February 25, vs Liverpool

Wesley Fofana

Fofana underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery last July after suffering a serious knee injury before the start of pre-season.

It was another huge blow for a player who has endured torrid luck with injuries so far in his career, having previously recovered from a fractured fibula at Leicester.

It remains to be seen at this stage if Fofana will play again this season as he works patiently through his latest recovery and rehabilitation process.

Potential return date: Unknown

Robert Sanchez

The goalkeeper has finally shaken off a knee injury that kept him out since early December, but he was still absent against City due to what Pochettino confirmed before kick-off was a personal problem.

All being well then he should be in contention for Wembley, leaving the Blues boss with a tough decision to make on his starter between the posts following the impressive form of No2 option Djordje Petrovic over recent weeks.

Potential return date: February 25, vs Liverpool

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