Chelsea midfielder has sustained a muscle injury during training in a significant blow for Mauricio Pochettino, it has been claimed.
The Blues signed Lavia from Southampton for a reported fee of £58 million last month, beating Liverpool to his signature at the last second.
The 19-year-old is yet to feature for his new club so far, with the Belgium international tipped to make his debut after the international break.
However, fresh reports have claimed that Lavia has sustained an injury during training which could see him sidelined for a significant period.
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Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri confirmed the news in a tweet which read: "Romeo Lavia just got injured at training session today with #ChelseaFC.
"Could be a muscle tear at the ankle..."
Lavia will join a whole host of injured first team stars including Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Fortunately, Chelsea aren't short of options in midfield, following the arrival of Moises Caicedo from Brighton earlier in the transfer window.
Nevertheless, supporters may have been hoping Lavia's introduction may have steadied the ship at Stamford Bridge, with the west London club suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out in the Premier League.
The result leaves them 12-place in the table in what has been an unconvincing start to Pochettino's tenure. The Blues face Bournemouth next at the Vitality Stadium, with supporters praying for an upturn in form.
News of Lavia's injury follows Dominik Szoboszlai's girlfriend's social media dig at the former Manchester City player.
Fanni Gecsek liked a post on Instagram suggesting that her boyfriend was playing for passion, whilst Lavia had moved to Chelsea for financial reasons.
Topics: Chelsea, Romeo Lavia, Football, Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino
Joe Adams