Chelsea drop huge Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia injury update ahead of Middlesbrough

Chelsea injury news as the Blues are set to be without a group of key players for the visit of Middlesbrough

Chelsea are set to be without Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia for their Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash with Middlesbrough on Tuesday. The Blues have been working with the duo absent for most of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure to win the game after his side were beaten 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium two weeks ago but once again won't be able to call upon his summer signing for help. In an injury update released before the Argentine speaks to the press on Monday, Chelsea wrote that Nkunku is "continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme."

The same is true of Lavia as well as Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Robert Sanchez and Lesley Ugochukwu. Given that some of those names are expected to be out for months still it is a major blow.

Nkunku has only played four times since arriving from RB Leipzig last year, suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season before a hip problem was picked up in training over the Christmas and New Year period. Lavia didn't even manage that much, coming off the bench for his debut on December 27 but not playing again since.

Chelsea do look set to be able to call on Trevoh Chalobah in the coming weeks for the first time this campaign after he works back from a serious of issues this term. Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are not included in the update are considered fit having played against Fulham last week from the bench.

Chalobah is now in group training and could be involved at Stamford Bridge for the visit of Michael Carrick's Boro. He was being assessed as an option ten days ago, Pochettino revealed at the time.

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Andrey Santos, Diego Moreira, and Cesare Casadei are all available after being recalled from their respective loans. Pochettino will bring more on the fitness of his group on Monday afternoon from Cobham.

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