Chelsea will be looking to keep the pressure on at the top of the table with a win when they take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Maurizio Sarri has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided a full team news and injury update including the latest on Antonio Rudiger, Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley, Nathan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The Blues boss was pleased to confirm that Rudiger has been progressing well in his recovery from a groin injury that he sustained during the 3-0 victory over Southampton before the international break.
Rudiger was forced to miss Germany’s Nations League double header with Holland and France but the defender has worked on his fitness in training and Sarri expects the centre-back to be available to face United tomorrow.
In a double boost, Sarri also revealed that Kovacic is expected to be in contention for a return to the starting eleven after making a swift recovery from a knock he picked up while playing for Croatia against England last week.
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However, the Chelsea boss confirmed that Barkley – who has been in fine form for club and country recently – is set to miss out against Man Utd after picking up a problem during the international break.
Youngster Ampadu is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury while attacker Hudson-Odio is also set to miss the visit of United to Stamford Bridge with an unspecified problem.
Chelsea head into the weekend action sitting level on points with Man City and Liverpool at the top of the table so they’ll want to solidify that position with a win over Jose Mourinho’s men in west London.
Sarri adds that Rudiger and Kovacic have been doing better in the last couple of days and he thinks they will be able to play tomorrow. #CHEMUN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 19, 2018
Sarri says Barkley is likely out tomorrow.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 19, 2018
