It was a mixed bag on the injury front for Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel prepare to take on Newcastle in the Premier League this afternoon.
The German has Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek available again after all three missed the midweek Carabao Cup win over Southampton, but Mateo Kovacic has been ruled out “for some weeks” after suffering a hamstring injury in training on Thursday.
“He will be out for some weeks because he’ll miss next week for sure and then comes international break as well,” Tuchel said. “It’s a minimum of those weeks.”
The fit-again Loftus-Cheek is one candidate to replace Kovacic in midfield, though it always seemed likely Tuchel would opt to pair N’Golo Kante with Jorginho.
The returns of Azpilicueta and Christensen give Tuchel options in defence.
Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner remain out injured however, so Kai Havertz leads the line once again.
Chelsea starting XI: Mendy, Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell, Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz
Injury list: Kovacic, Pulisic, Werner, Lukaku
Date: Saturday, October 30, 3pm
Venue: St. James’ Park
Referee: Paul Tierney
