Nkunku hoping to start on Sunday (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea will be without Mykhailo Mudyk and Reece James as they look to end their 2023-24 season with European qualification against Bournemouth on the final day.
James came off the bench on Wednesday night away at Brighton having made his first appearance of 2024 against Nottingham Forest last week.
But just 17 minutes after his introduction, the captain was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, earning himself a four-match ban given it was his second sending off the season.
Chelsea have been plagued by injury problems all season but they have finally eased in the final weeks with Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto recently returning, with those two combining to score their side’s second goal at the AMEX Stadium.
Levi Colwill has also been back among the subs having not featured since March and will hope to get some minutes for the visit of the Cherries.
Ben Chilwell has also returned to fitness but Mudryk is set to miss out after he was forced off against Brighton.
Mudryk was caught in the face by Tariq Lamptey, requiring on-field treatment with Pochettino using his concussion substitution to replace the Ukrainian, who will now be unavailable for the weekend due to the protocols in place for head injuries.
Chelsea hoping to end the season on a high (Picture: Getty)
Nkunku replaced Mudryk with the Frenchman stating his case for a start with a goal shortly after coming on.
‘I think tomorrow we will assess to see if he can start,’ Pochettino said of Nkunku. ‘It will be difficult to play 90 minutes. We need not to take risks. With the performance and medical staff, we will make the best decision for him.’
Thiago Silva, rested midweek, is expected to start in what will be his final game forthe club.
Pochettino will provide further injury updates in his final press conference of the season on Friday.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Bournemouth: Petrovic Gusto, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Nkunku; Jackson.
Predicted Bournemouth XI vs Chelsea: Travers, Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly, Christie, Cook, Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara, Solanke
Chelsea vs Bournemouth kick-off time and TV channel
With all 20 teams in action at the same time on Sunday, Chelsea’s final match of the season kicks off at 4pm BST.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Football.
Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis
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