Chelsea team news and injury latest ahead of West Brom clash
What has seemed like a long international break is now over and the Premier League is returning, with a number of Blues players back in the fold after an impressive break with their countries.
The Blues will be hoping that the extended break will not have interrupted their momentum too badly, with Thomas Tuchel's side currently on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
It's the start of an important run of fixtures for Chelsea, with the Champions League quarter-finals against Porto and the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City coming up in the next three weeks, so Tuchel will be hoping to have a full contingent to choose from as he also tries to keep up the pressure in the race for a top-four spot.
With that said, here is the latest injury news for Chelsea.
Thiago Silva
The centre-back has played a big role this season following his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, but has been out since the beginning of February with a thigh injury - though the Blues have performed well in his absence.
However, it looks like the Brazilian centre-back could be in contention to play against West Brom after posting an update on his Instagram page showing him back in action on the training field.
Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference: "Yes, it is the best situation you can have as a manager to be able to substitute players or replace players who need a break without a loss of quality, without a lack of results, that's very good. It is a good feeling for the confidence of all of them.
"Tomorrow, Thiago is available and back on track and fit. It is the same for the goalkeepers. We have good competitions and now we enter a crucial moment in the season. It is very important to have these selections as we need everyone available to compete on our levels."
Jorginho
The midfielder picked up a knee injury in the run-up to the international break, with Italy boss Roberto Mancini confirming that the Blues midfielder would not be fit enough to feature in either of the country's matches during the break. It was decided that the 29-year-old would not be risked for Italy, but whether he is able to recover in time for West Brom is uncertain, and with a huge game against Porto in midweek it could be down to Tuchel to decide whether to risk him.
Edouard Mendy
The keeper did not join up with enegal over the international break due to a planned dental procedure.
However, the two-week break looks to have given the 29-year-old enough time to fully recover to take his place in goal against the Baggies.
N'Golo Kante
A worry for Chelsea after returning to the club during the break with a hamstring problem and he will be out of the game against West Brom.
Tuchel said on him: "He is doing individual training and from then on you can do the maths. Tomorrow he will miss the game and can't be in the squad. Then we arrive on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to prepare for the game, so that leaves us with only three days.
"He has a little muscle injury, as was communicated from the national team. So my realistic approach is to think after Porto and to think about the second game against Porto."
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Another player who returned to Cobham early from international break, Hudson-Odoi is struggling with a shoulder injury.
The attacker picked up the problem in the build-up to England Under-21s' fixture against Portugal, and though it was hoped that he would be able to play a part in their third group game against Croatia, manager Aidy Boothroyd revealed that the 20-year-old had left before the game.
"Callum is definitely out," Boothroyd told reporters. "He has gone back to his club."
Given that there was hope Hudson-Odoi could feature in the final game of the group stage, it is not thought to be a serious shoulder injury for the Chelsea youngster, though it seems likely that he will miss the clash against West Brom.
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