CHELSEA star Romeo Lavia could be set for an extended period on the treatment table.
The £58million signing is understood to have sustained an ankle injury in training on Thursday.
Lavia, 19, is yet to make his debut having not been deemed to be match fit.
And according to the Standard, the Blues "fear" that Lavia could be out for a while.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino has started a midfield trio comprising of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher in recent matches against Luton and Nottingham Forest.
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In Lavia's absence, there could be more opportunities for less high-profile summer signing Lesley Ugochukwu.
The 19-year-old joined from Rennes in a £23.2m deal last month.
It was thought that he might be loaned out to Strasbourg, but he has instead remained at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino has so far awarded him two cameo appearances in the Premier League, during matches against Liverpool and Luton.
He also played the full 90 minutes of their 2-1 League Cup win over AFC Wimbledon.
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Ugochukwu could have more opportunities to impress in the coming weeks.
The French youth international was a regular for Rennes last season, making 35 appearances in all competitions.
Chelsea have been plagued by injuries in the early weeks of the season.
Captain Reece James remains sidelined by a thigh injury.
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While Carney Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku are all long-term absentees,
Pochettino could soon be boosted by returns for defenders Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah.
And forward Armando Broja is approaching full fitness after recovering from a serious knee injury.
