Mauricio Pochettino confirms £30m Chelsea player is nearly back from injury, he could return next week

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Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that one Chelsea player is approaching his return from injury in the coming days.

He claimed in his pre-match press conference that while Malo Gusto will not be fit for tomorrow night’s FA Cup game against Aston Villa, he may well make the squad for the next game after that.

Gusto’s recent injury has left the Blues without a fit right-back available right now, after Reece James’ successful surgery earlier this month.

This saw Pochettino turn to Axel Disasi to play there for the most important fixture of the season earlier this week against Middlesbrough.

The Frenchman’s superb performance was marked with a goal too, as he enjoyed one of the better displays in a 6-1 win.

However, having a natural attacking option out wide would be preferrable as the big games begin to come thick and fast for the Blues.

Gusto close to injury return

Pochettino has now hinted that Gusto, as well as Christopher Nkunku, could make the squad that play Liverpool in an EFL Cup final dress rehearsal next week.

He said: “No they [Nkunku and Gusto] could be available for Liverpool on Wednesday. We need to see how they evolve in the next few days. But they’re not going to be available tomorrow.”

Recent displays from the £30m summer signing have actually been very impressive, however it did feel like he perhaps played too many minutes after coming back from injury in the first place.

With James unlikely to be close to being fit for the EFL Cup final in a month’s time, having Gusto fit will be essential for a side looking to win their first trophy under the new ownership.