Chelsea expecting new double injury boost for Man City FA Cup semi-final

Mauricio Pochettino’s fitness woes are set to ease for Wembley showdown
Nizaar Kinsella18 April 2024

Chelsea expect to have both Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling back to face Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final tie this weekend.

Levi Colwill also faces a late fitness test ahead of the game at Wembley on Saturday.

The trio could boost Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who were without 10 players for their 6-0 Premier League win at home to Everton on Monday night.

Disasi is in line for a start against City having earned man-of-the-match honours in the 1-1 draw away at the Etihad Stadium in February.

That day, Sterling also opened the scoring against his former club and produced one of his best performances of the season.

The England winger may again be on the bench this weekend after recovering from food poisoning this week.

But since the international break, he has lost his starting role to Mykhailo Mudryk or Noni Madueke.

Double boost: Chelsea are set to have Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling back for FA Cup semi-final
Chelsea FC via Getty Images

If involved, Colwill will likely only be fit enough for the bench but he is trying to step up his recovery from a toe problem sustained in March.

Enzo Fernandez could also return, but reports in Argentina suggest much hinges on whether Chelsea decide if he should have surgery to fix a painful hernia problem, which would rule him out for several more weeks.

Ben Chilwell also returned as a late substitute against Everton. He set up Alfie Gilchrist’s late effort, which followed Cole Palmer's earlier four goals and a Nicolas Jackson strike.

Chilwell is pushing to start on Saturday, but he could be held back to play in the trip to Arsenal on Tuesday instead.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez could also return on the bench as Djordje Petrovic’s deputy after missing Everton through illness.

Pochettino will be happy his options are improving, but he is still expected to be without Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Lesley Ugochuwku against City.

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