Graham Potter has confirmed the Chelsea team news to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Chelsea come up against Pep Guardiola’s side in the third round at the Etihad Stadium and will be hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend in the Premier League.
Man City are flying in the Premier League, currently in second place, and clinched a stoppage time winner through an Erling Haaland penalty to come from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 despite going down to 10 men.
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As expected, Potter will be without Kepa Arrizabalaga (foot), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James (knee) and N’Golo Kante (hamstring) for the cup tie.
Lewis Hall, Omari Humphreys and Omari Hutchinson have been training with the first-team ahead of the third round clash.
On Hutchinson and Hall, Potter said: “He’s in the squad, Lewis Hall is in the squad. They've impressed. We've got some good quality young players. They'll be in the squad and involved."
Jorginho is doubtful for the third round tie due to a foot problem. Potter added: Jorginho slight problem with his foot, doubtful for tomorrow. Other than that, pretty much the same group."
Kepa Arrizabalaga remains unavailable and Potter has fears that he could miss the World Cup, but admitted it is a day by day situation to monitor.
The 47-year-old continued: “Still unavailable.
"We’ll see (if available for the World Cup). He’s got to take it day by day.
"It’s a tear in his plantar fascia. It’s how he responds to pain, how comfortable he feels.
"At the moment, not so positive."
Reece James is pushing to make the World Cup squad later this month, but Potter doesn't want to rush his return and will leave the decision in the hands of the physios and doctors.
“I just think it’s how he responds (James being available for World Cup).
"We don’t want to rush anything, I don’t want to put any timescales on it. That’s for him, doctors and physios.”
Topics: Chelsea, Manchester City, Football, Carabao Cup
Matthew Debono