Lesley Ugochukwu: Chelsea manager provides injury update on nephew of ex-Super Eagles defender

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino provided an injury update on Lesley Ugochukwu at his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of his side's Premier League meeting with Everton. 

Ugochukwu - nephew of former Nigeria international defender Onyekechi Apam - has not figured for the Blues since going off injured against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day. 

The France U21 international was an important squad member before he sustained a hamstring injury and suffered a relapse, with Pochettino naming him in sixteen consecutive gameday squads across all competitions. 

The defensive midfielder has missed twelve Premier League games on the bounce since returning to the treatment room. 

Pochettino has confirmed that Ugochukwu will not be available for selection against the Toffees as he's continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme. 

All things being equal, the former Rennes starlet will return to group training on or before the first week of May, provided he does not suffer a relapse. 

In quotes relayed by Chelsea's official website, Pochettino said: "Lesley is doing his recovery.

"We will see if in a few weeks he can again be part of the training sessions with the first team. But it is day by day that we are assessing these guys."

Ugochukwu signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea in August 2023 and made his debut on the opening day of the season against Liverpool. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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