Graham Potter was able to issue a largely positive injury update ahead of Wednesday's big Champions League clash against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.
The whole of his squad trained on Tuesday morning at Cobham and while not all of them will be involved in our matchday three outing against the Italian champions, others who were in doubt are in contention for a place.
Chelsea vs AC Milan - Edouard Mendy injury update
One of those is goalkeeper who has been out with a knee injury. Potter had this to report at his media conference on Tuesday afternoon.
‘Eddie's training with the team the last few days, so he’s made good progress. He'll be in the squad which is great news for us.
‘It's really important to have as much competition for places as we can so it is great to have him back.'
Chelsea vs AC Milan Jorginho and Kai Havertz injury update
andwere both substituted in the second half of last Saturday's Premier League game.
‘Jorgi felt a little bit of discomfort in his abdominal area against Crystal Palace but was training today so we'll see how he reacts to that and take a decision later on today,' said Potter. 'Kai had a slight feeling as well but again trained today.’
Chelsea vs AC Milan injury list
is continuing his return from a serious hamstring injury suffered in the second game of the season in mid-August.
‘N’Golo’s training more and more - not fully but getting closer so that's really positive,’ noted Potter.
‘It's a case of building him up and then it won’t be a case of now he's fit and now he can play 90 minutes every three days. We have to be careful with how we build his minutes so that's the next challenge. It's game time and how do you get games in the Premier League? Bit by bit I think, so we have to be patient with him but we're under control with that and we'll do our best.’
Potter was also asked about Kante’s long-term future with his current contract drawing to an end.
‘My focus at the moment is to help him rehabilitate in a good way so that he's available for us, he's available on the pitch, because when he's on the pitch, he's a huge asset for us. The other stuff is between the club and him.
‘My focus is to help him get fit, get him enjoying his football, because there's not many players in world football like NG so the quicker he is back for us the better so that's where I leave my focus.'
Keeper no.1?
Kepa has been in goal for the past three games and Potter was asked if with Mendy returning, he will have a clear number one choice between the posts.
‘If you look at what we've got over the next six weeks, it's an incredible schedule so I'm in no rush to label anybody one or two or anything like that,’ our head coach responded.
‘Firstly, I want to help Kepa enjoy his football and play at a really good level, which he did against Crystal Palace. And then I want to help Eddie get fit and ready to play, which he's done really well so far. And then we've got two goalkeepers and in an ideal world you want football to decide, But we've got two ones that we really believe in and that's a good situation for us.’
Chelsea vs AC Milan suspension
There are no players from either team suspended for this game.
In the Champions League, three yellow cards will result in a one-match-suspension in the competition.
Booking list
Chelsea: James 1, Koulibaly 1, Mount 1
AC Milan: Brahim Diaz 1, Calabria 1, Origi 1, Tomori 1