Mauricio Pochettino fears the worst as latest Chelsea setback leaves Christopher Nkunku unable to train

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he is worried about Christopher Nkunku's latest injury — which has left the mega-money signing unable to take part in training for over a week.

The 26-year-old France international has only started one game for the Londoners since arriving at Stamford Bridge in a £53million deal from RB Leipzig last summer, a 71-minute outing in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last month.

Nkunku, though, has featured just one since December 27 after suffering a hip injury during Chelsea's 3-2 victory at Luton Town, which has left Pochettino worried about the severity of the forward's latest setback.

Speaking to reporters at his press conference on Friday, Pochettino, whose side return to Premier League action with a London derby against Fulham on Saturday, admitted he is unsure when the Frenchman will be available for selection.

«I am a little bit worried about the situation of Nkunku because he has been unable to train for 10 days, and we are still going to assess what will happen,» said Pochettino. «In my first conference, after he suffered a small issue, it was complicated and now it is between eight and 10 days without training, and we waited nearly six months for him.

»He was so close to feeling comfortable again and started against Palace, so, of course, we are disappointed and worried because we want him back soon."

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Providing further injury updates, the Argentine revealed that this weekend will see Ben Chilwell return to the Chelsea squad for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury back in