Chelsea vs Newcastle injury news as Romeo Lavia, Joelinton, Fabian Schar and 16 more absent
Chelsea go head-to-head with Newcastle United on Tuesday evening in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. The two sides face each other for the second time in less than a month following the Premier League match at St James' Park on November 25.
On that day, Chelsea were outclassed and outfought by a determined Newcastle side under Eddie Howe. After a first half that was quite tight, the two teams went into the half-time break at 1-1 thanks to an opener from Alexander Isak and an equaliser via a superb free-kick from Raheem Sterling.
In the second period, it all went wrong from the Blues on Tyneside as Mauricio Pochettino watched on from the stands. Jamaal Lascelles restored the hosts' lead before a mistake from Thiago Silva allowed Joelinton to score just moments later.
Anthony Gordon wrapped up the game for Newcastle late on after Reece James was shown a red card as Chelsea collapsed. This time around, Pochettino will be hoping to make home advantage count and see a much improved display from his team.
The Blues, though, will have to do that without nine first-team players, all of whom are absent because of injury. James is ruled out for a few months, football.london understands, after hurting his hamstring in the defeat to Everton earlier in December.
No decision has been made just yet whether the Chelsea captain requires surgery on the consistent problem, but we could find out more on that later this week. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, did undergo surgery last week on an ankle problem he suffered against Everton.
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