Chelsea confirm nephew of ex-Super Eagles defender has returned to partial team training pre-Arsenal 

Through their official website, Chelsea have provided an injury update ahead of their Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium under the lights on Tuesday. 

Chelsea brought good news on the recovery of Lesley Ugochukwu, nephew of former Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam, stating that he has started partial training. 

Of course, it goes without saying that the France U21 international of Nigerian descent is unlikely to be named in the matchday squad to face Arsenal, considering the fact that he has yet to train fully with his Chelsea teammates, on the eve of the Premier League clash. 

Ugochukwu's last game for the Blues was against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 24, 2023 at the Molineux Stadium, where he suffered a relapse of a hamstring injury, leading to his substitution in the 58th minute. 

Since then, the central midfielder has missed twenty-two games in a row in all competitions, including thirteen in the Premier League.

Chelsea have not provided details regarding the training Ugochukwu can engage in and also did not provide a potential timeframe for his return to team training. 

Before his initial injury, he was one of the first names on manager Mauricio Pochettino's matchday squad, having received sixteen consecutive call-ups. 

The former Rennes wonderkid totaled 537 minutes spread across thirteen minutes prior to his spell on the sidelines. 

Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Romeo Lavia are continuing to undergo their rehabilitation programme and will not be available for selection against Arsenal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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