Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino provides positive update on latest Christopher Nkunku injury - but admits Frenchman is sidelined

Nkunku has been dealing with a knee injury, leading to his absence from the weekend's FA Cup win over Preston North End, and Pochettino has confirmed that he is nearing a return, despite suffering a new hip issue. Chelsea play Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

The Argentine was asked if Nkunku had sustained a new issue, and replied: "It's not related to his old injury, it's a different problem. A small issue in his hip, not in his knee, we are cautious with him because it is six months from his injury, and he was involved in few games. He won't be involved tomorrow, we will see for Saturday. We are not sure, we are going to be cautious."

Asked if he could face a significant layoff, Pochettino replied: "Hope it is not a long period. At the moment he is not training, he is doing recovery. Not a big issue."

Nkunku has been dealing with injury issues since his arrival in west London, and has been limited to just four first-team appearances. He has scored once in that time, in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves.

Chelsea face Middlesbrough in the last four of the Carabao Cup semi-final this week. They then play Fulham in a Premier League London derby this weekend.