Chelsea handed double injury blow! Mauricio Pochettino provides Romeo Lavia & Benoit Badiashile updates ahead of Preston FA Cup clash with Christopher Nkunku also struggling

Pochettino has revealed that the Blues are dealing with a laundry list of injuries ahead of this weekend's FA Cup third round tie against Preston North End, and that neither Carney Chukwuemeka or Ben Chilwell will be available, despite returning to training earlier this week. In addition, Lavia and Badiashile remain on the sidelines, along with Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu.

Pochettino told reporters on Friday: "Chilwell and Carney are not available for tomorrow. We will see for the next game, Middlesbrough or Fulham. They are doing well, we are happy with their evolution. Lavia is recovering after his injury. We don't know when he will return. [There was a] problem in his quad during the game against Palace. Benoit I think is going to be available next week."

Chelsea face two significant cup ties this week, first against Preston in the FA Cup and then against Middlesbrough in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday. Pochettino may therefore use this opportunity to shuffle his pack and scatter minutes around the players who as yet have struggled for game time.

They desperately need some good news. The Blues have plenty of injuries and are also languishing in 10th in the Premier League table, but remain in the running for two potential cup trophies this term.