Mauricio Pochettino gives injury update on Chelsea duo before FA Cup and Liverpool clashes

Christopher Nkunku has missed Chelsea’s last four matches (Picture: Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino has provided an injury update on Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto as Chelsea face Aston Villa and Liverpool in the next six days.

The Blues host Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night before returning to Premier League action on Wednesday with a trip to leaders Liverpool.

Nkunku has missed Chelsea’s last four matches with a hip injury and the clash against Villa will come too soon for him, although he could feature at Anfield.

The same is true for Gusto, who missed the 6-1 Carabao Cup victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

Asked if Nkunku and Gusto were fit to face Villa, Chelsea head coach Pochettino said: ‘No, they could be available for Liverpool on Wednesday.

‘We need to see how they evolve in the next few days. We are positive, we will see. But they are unavailable for tomorrow.’

Pochettino was also asked about Ben Chilwell, who recently made his return from a lengthy hamstring problem.

Ben Chilwell is being ‘assessed’ by Chelsea’s medical team (Picture: Getty)

‘I think he’s an experienced player and of course I think the challenge from pre-season was to build his fitness and improve,’ Pochettino added.

‘Not only his offensive phase but his defensive phase. That was the challenge for us: to help him become a more complete player.

‘Now we have doubt to start him tomorrow. We are assessing him to see if he can cope with another game in three days.’

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