Latest Chelsea injury news as 12 miss Aston Villa with huge Moises Caicedo boost

Five games into his reign at Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino has already fallen victim to one of the club's biggest problems in recent years: injuries.

Having seen the Blues slump to a 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest prior to the international break, Pochettino would have hoped to welcome back some of his sidelined stars for Sunday's goalless draw with AFC Bournemouth. That wasn't the case and the Blues' injury problems have somehow grown considerably worse.

Moises Caicedo was left out of the matchday squad for the trip to the Cherries. The midfielder was spotted wearing a supportive strap on his right knee during Ecuador training in midweek.

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«Caicedo came [back from international break] with a knock in his knee. We will assess tomorrow,» Pochettino said afterward. The Premier League's most expensive player could return against Aston Villa on Sunday, with reports suggesting that the player believes he'll be ready for the game at Stamford Bridge.

Summer signing Romeo Lavia was ruled out for a number of weeks following an ankle problem sustained in training. The teenager is yet to make his debut for the new club after completing his £58million move from Southampton.

Fellow summer arrival Christopher Nkunku is also awaiting his competitive debut for the club. The Frenchman is recovering from a long-term knee injury sustained in pre-season himself and is, according to the club's latest official update, «continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.»

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