CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU’S injury does not appear to be as serious as first feared in a fresh boost for Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The striker has missed the last three games with a hip problem that Pochettino described as ‘worrying’ last week.
The head coach even agreed the situation could cause him to alter his transfer plans for the January window.
But in a welcome twist, Nkunku’s injury seems to have settled down and he is even being pencilled in to resume training with his team-mates later this week.
The entire Chelsea squad and management team are on three days off as part of a mid-winter mini-break in fixtures.
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Pochettino is visiting family in Spain and will be buoyed by the news that Nkunku is improving.
Chelsea’s next game is the Carabao Cup semi final second leg next Tuesday.
The players do not report back for training until this Wednesday and Pochettino has given them all permission to enjoy short holidays with their families.
He was particularly anxious about Nkunku, who reported his latest injury after coming off the bench to play 28 minutes of Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Luton on December 30.
The France international had only just returned from six months out with a knee injury and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for the club since his £52 million move to England from German side RB Leipzig in the summer. He has scored one goal.
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But boss Pochettino is craving Nkunku’s experience as in his absence he has to rely on Armando Broja who is still on the way back from nine months out with a knee injury.
Chelsea are also missing fellow forward Nicolas Jackson who is at the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.
There were also returns from injury on Saturday for left back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
But captain Reece James, full back Marc Cucurella and first choice keeper Robert Sanchez are still sidelined.
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