Injury-plagued Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia set to be out until Premier League run-in as Enzo Maresca shares fitness update

The Italian tactician has confirmed that the ex-Southampton star will miss the next six Premier League games but he hopes he will be back for the final 10 as his injury woes continue.

Maresca told reporters on Friday: “I feel sad for him. We have 16 games of the (Premier League) season left and we hope to have Romeo back for the last 10.” Based on that outlook, Lavia should be back in mid-March when Chelsea face Arsenal in the Premier League.

Lavia signed for Chelsea 18 months ago from Saints in a £58 million ($74m) move but since then he has made just 13 appearances. Ankle and hamstring injuries have kept him on the sidelines more often than not, highlighting how costly this move has been for the Blues.

Lavia will be watching on when his Chelsea side host London rivals West Ham in the Premier League on Monday.