Mauricio Pochettino sets Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku return dates after Chelsea duo return to first-team training - with Ben Chilwell set for rest period

Blues forward Nkunku has been out with a hip issue in recent weeks and right-back Gusto sat out Tuesday's 6-1 Carabao Cup thrashing of Middlesbrough, ensuring their passage into the final of the competition. However, manager Pochettino says the French duo could be back for their away trip to Anfield on January 31 in the Premier League.

Ahead of Friday's FA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge with Villa, the former Tottenham boss said: "They could be available for Liverpool on Wednesday (January 31), they could be. We need to see how they evolve in the next few days. We are positive, but we will see. They won't be available for tomorrow (Friday)."

For all their troubles and widely mocked big-money transfer dealings, Chelsea are starting to move in the right direction. They have won four of their last five games in the Premier League and are just four points behind West Ham in sixth, are in the final of the Carabao Cup, and are still in the FA Cup, too. With Gusto and Nkunku back soon, that is another boost for the west London outfit.

After Friday's home clash against the high-flying Villans in the FA Cup, Chelsea take on Liverpool, who they will face in the final of the Carabao Cup, in the Reds' own back yard in just under a week's time. They then kickstart February with a match against Wolves at Stamford Bridge four days later the trip to Merseyside.