Chelsea boss to make decision on Chukwuemeka's availability for Boro clash after Monday's training 

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will make a decision on Carney Chukwuemeka's availability for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Middlesbrough after training at Cobham on Monday, January 8.

The England youth international of Nigerian descent scored his first senior goal in Chelsea's Premier League clash against West Ham United at the London Stadium back in August, only to suffer a knee injury before the first half ended. 

He initially returned to training in October and was named in the matchday squad against Burnley but suffered a relapse that has kept him out of action for fifteen matches in a row across all competitions.

The versatile midfielder returned to contact training before the FA Cup clash against Championship outfit Preston North End this past weekend but was not fit enough to be included in the squad. 

Pochettino has hinted at Chukwuemeka's possible return from injury against Boro at the Riverside but no decision will be taken until after Monday's training session at Cobham. 

"We are so close with some players like Chilwell, Badiashile and Chukwuemeka," Pochettino said to Chelsea's official website. 

"But we need to see every day the evaluation and then it’s about whether we can include or not. But they are so close and always we use our experience to tell how players are performing in training."

Meanwhile, France U21 international of Nigerian descent, Lesley Ugochukwu is not in contention to be named in the traveling squad to Middlesbrough as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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