Chelsea set to be boosted by double defensive return for Newcastle United
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been handed an injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash against Newcastle on Saturday with Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto returning to training.
The defensive duo withdrew from their respective national teams over the international break, with Gusto pulling out from France’s U21 side with a knee injury and Colwill missed England U21 duty due to a shoulder problem.
Summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia – yet to make their debuts for the Blues – will both be unavailable for the trip to St James’ Park.
Nkunku joined the west Londoners for £52million and scored three goals during pre-season before suffering a major knee injury against Borussia Dortmund. Lavia, below, joined Chelsea in the summer in a deal worth a reported £58m from Southampton but suffered ankle ligament damage.
Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke were involved at international level during the break.
Fernandez played 70 minutes in Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Brazil on Tuesday. Summer signing Caicedo started as Ecuador defeated Chile 1-0.
Winger Noni Madueke played the full 90 minutes as England U21s beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in a European Championship qualifier at Goodison Park.
Centre-back Disasi played five minutes for France’s senior side as they drew 2-2 with Greece.
Cole Palmer made his England senior debut over the break while Mykhailo Mudryk was unable to help Ukraine secure a spot at Euro 2024, with the winger’s national team now needing to qualify through the play-offs.
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