Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has provided a double injury boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest.
The Blues make the trip to the City Ground knowing that they have already guaranteed a place in a European competition for 2025-26.
However, while victory would lead to Champions League qualification, defeat has the potential to leave the club in the Conference League for the second season in a row.
Maresca is already missing first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson courtesy of a red card that he picked up versus Newcastle United earlier this month.
With Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu having remained injured for the game with Manchester United last week, it led to youngster Tyrique George being deployed down the middle of the attack.
© Imago
Nkunku, Guiu to return?
Nkunku has not featured for Chelsea since completing 90 minutes in the second leg of the Conference League semi-final with Legia Warsaw on April 17, while Guiu has been absent since the derby with West Ham United on February 3.
Nevertheless, speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, Maresca revealed that the pair are in line to return to the squad for the visit to the East Midlands.
The Italian said: “Working with us in the last days, him and Marc Guiu. Both can be available for the next game. They can be available.”
Maresca gave further clarification over the fitness of Reece James, who has sometimes trained away from the main group at a time when Chelsea have been bidding to keep the club captain fit in the long term.
On the right-back, Maresca added: “He is okay. He has his own programme. We said already that we try to protect him, so we are managing him.”
© Imago
Timely boost or irrelevant?
While Jackson’s suspension has caused issues for the Premier League run-in, Nkunku may not be viewed as someone who should be drafted straight into the starting lineup.
The France international has not netted in any competition since February 25 and a lack of match fitness may lead to George retaining his position in attack.
That said, Jadon Sancho is also available again this weekend having missed the contest with Man United due to being ineligible to face his parent club.
Therefore, it is possible that Pedro Neto could play down the middle and Sancho start on the left, leaving George among the replacements.
With Guiu having been sidelined since the start of February, the Spanish prospect will realistically only be considered for an outing off the bench in the second half.
VOTE IN THE 2024-25 SPORTS MOLE READERS’ AWARDS!
Voting is now open for the annual Sports Mole Readers’ Awards, where you can pick your player of the season, manager of the season, signing of the season and much more.
Click here to make your selections, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 26!
No Data Analysis info
