Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Mateo Kovacic remains sidelined for Chelsea’s visit to Manchester City this weekend but is the only injury absentee for the trip to the Etihad.
Kovacic has missed the last nine games with a hamstring injury which he was close to recovering from before suffering a setback ahead of the clash with Fulham.
The Croatian midfielder had been a lynchpin of Tuchel’s side since he arrived but has been absent since picking up the injury in training ahead of the Champions League quarter final second leg against Porto.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have been keeping the Blues midfield ticking over in fantastic form since Kovacic went down and his absence has not been felt badly as the Blues have lost only twice since Kovacic has been ruled out.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit to Manchester, Tuchel gave an update on the injury situation and aside from Kovacic, it is all good news: “For the injury list, it doesn't change too much.
“Kovacic is out but we hope to bring him back for Arsenal and then hopefully for Wembley. It will be tight for Arsenal, but for tomorrow he is out. Everyone else is ready."
The Blues head coach, who has steered Chelsea to an FA Cup and Champions League final since replacing Frank Lampard in January, admitted that he could be forced into some changes at the Etihad to keep his group fresh.
It has been a relentless schedule for Chelsea since the turn of the year and City will have had an extra day of rest and recovery with their Champions League semi final second leg taking place on Tuesday, where they beat Paris St Germain, with Chelsea seeing off Real Madrid on Wednesday.
“We have one day less to recover and it's an away game, so we are travelling today and that's a key factor at this time of the season,” Tuchel added.
“I imagine we'll need some fresh legs and fresh minds, guys who want to show they deserve a chance in a big fixture.
“If there will be new stuff tactical, I don't know, I haven't decided yet. I have to look at who is availible. There is a high possibility we will see some changes.”
