Christopher Nkunku and Levi Colwill could return to strengthen Chelsea against West Ham on Sunday.

Nkunku, 26, has started just two games for Chelsea since arriving last summer, after spending his first Premier League season injured.

Colwill is also expected to return from a toe injury, with Mauricio Pochettino describing the pair as “close” to returning ahead of Thursday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.

 

Their return will lighten the Blues’ huge injury list, with a total of 12 players still alarming.

 

Reece James, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernandez, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez and Wesley Fofana are all injured.

 

This leaves Pochettino with limited options and only 11 players senior off the field.

Alfie Gilchrist was impressive against Spurs and will continue to replace Silva in a defense that includes Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Marc Cucurella. Djordje Petrovic will remain as goalkeeper.

The only midfield duo currently at Chelsea, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher, will continue as dual strikers. They should start behind an attacking front that includes Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson.

Colwill and Nkunku are likely to appear on the bench, with midfielder Cesare Casadei being their most experienced player. Casadei is just 21 years old and is playing his first season in England

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gilchrist, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson

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