Estevao Willian has been ruled out of Chelsea’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal this weekend with the winger still nursing an injury.
The Brazil international missed last week’s clash with Burnley after picking up a hamstring issue in training. He sat out of the 1-1 draw with the Clarets as a precautionary measure with Liam Rosenior describing it as ‘nothing too serious.’
Estevao was not pictured in training this week with the Chelsea boss confirming at his pre-match press conference his winger is not going to be involved when the Blues make the trip across the capital on Sunday.
Marc Cucurella has missed Chelsea’s last two games after he was forced off with a hamstring issue within the draw with Leeds. He can even haven’t any role to play against the Gunners.
Reece James got here off against Burnley late on in what was his first starting appearance against January.
The skipper has no fresh fitness concerns and shall be involved on the weekend.
Romeo Lavia meanwhile has been making regular progress in training since his latest setback although this weekend will come too soon for the Belgian.
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‘Reece is totally wonderful,’ Rosenior said. ‘Romeo is getting stronger and stronger. We had a mini practice match within the week where he looked really good.
‘Estevao shall be out for a bit bit longer and Jamie Gittens is progressing in his rehab. Cucu isn’t available for Sunday. Dario Essugo is back on the training pitch, too.’
That 1-1 draw with Burnley last day out means Chelsea head into the weekend in fifth place, three point behind Manchester United in fourth.
Arsenal’s lead on the summit might be reduced to 2 points by the point they kick off with second place Manchester City in motion against Leeds on Saturday.
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