Confirmed team news: Nephew of former Super Eagles defender to miss Southampton v Chelsea

Lesley Ugochukwu's run of ten successive appearances in the Premier League is set to end on Tuesday night when Southampton face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Through the club's official website, the Saints have confirmed that Ugochukwu, nephew of former Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam, will be ineligible for selection against his parent club, opening the door for Flynn Downes.

Although he impressed during pre-season preparations, Chelsea believed a loan move to a Premier League rival would be the best way for him to gain consistent game time and continue his development.

Ugochukwu was behind Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia in manager Enzo Maresca's pecking order of midfielders at Stamford Bridge. 

In the first half of the season, the Rennes academy graduate struggled for game time under the now-dismissed coach, Russell Martin, but the managerial change worked in his favour.

Having been heavily linked with a return to Chelsea in the January transfer window, Ugochukwu has forced his way into the Southampton squad. 

Southampton boss Ivan Jurić did not provide an injury update on Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo on Monday when he addressed the media, meaning the Super Eagles stars are in contention to be named in the travelling squad to the English capital.

Aribo was deployed as an emergency central defender during Southampton's last Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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