Chelsea injury update: Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Reece James

Chelsea have a hefty injury list to contend with over the international break.

Romeo Lavia continues to work towards his debut while Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to see Benoit Badiashile and Armando Broja back in his squad soon.

Christopher Nkunku’s return would be warmly welcomed at Stamford Bridge but appears to still be some way off.

Fans will also have to wait to see the likes of Reece James, Carney Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah in action.

Romeo Lavia

Lavia is in training with the Chelsea first-team after what the club called a “partial” return last week.

However, the new signing is still a doubt for after the international break due to a “reconditioning” period that Pochettino said will last a few weeks.

That timeframe points to later this month, with Standard Sport understanding that an agreement was made with the Belgium national team to not call up Lavia during this programme.

Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea are a month into the anticipated three-and-a-half month lay-off for Nkunku.

The striker is sorely missed in the Blues’ attack and may be eyeing up the end of the November international break for a comeback against Newcastle.

His return from a knee injury suffered in pre-season is currently defined as in its “early stages” by the club’s latest update, which came before the Forest defeat.

Reece James

Chelsea hope to have James back after the international break, although questions remain over the exact date of his injury return.

Pochettino said in August the defender will be out for “a few weeks” with a hamstring issue and the club described him as “continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme” ahead of the Forest game.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka underwent surgery on a knee injury sustained in last month’s defeat to West Ham.

Chelsea did not give a timeline for the teenager’s return to match fitness and the club say he remains in the “early stages” of his recovery, but Standard Sport understands an initial six-week return plan was put in place – pointing to a return against Fulham or Burnley early in October.

Wesley Fofana

The Blues do not expect to see Fofana play again until the latter stages of the season, if at all in 2023-24.

The French defender is in the “early stages” of his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Armando Broja

Pochettino has high hopes for Broja’s return from a serious knee injury suffered during the winter World Cup break.

The striker is back in “partial” team training but he is not expected to play until well after the international period.

Benoit Badiashile

Badiashile is still a doubt for a return after the international break after suffering a hamstring injury before a ball was kicked in pre-season.

The Frenchman is back in training but given the nature of the issue, will unlikely be rushed back.

Trevoh Chalobah

No word yet on Chalobah’s return from a hamstring injury with the club lumping him in with the others who are “continuing to undergo rehabilitation programmes”.

The defender turned down a deadline day move to Nottingham Foret so, even when fit, he may not find it easy to return to Pochettino’s squad.