Mauricio Pochettino reveals whether Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia will play vs Newcastle

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed whether or not Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia will finally make their Chelsea debuts against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal. The Blues will welcome the Magpies to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night as either side hopes to get their hands on some silverware.

Ahead of what is expected to be a difficult clash for Chelsea, Pochettino was asked if the duo will be available for selection. The 51-year-old said: «Lavia still not. Christoph was involved in the last game and will be involved. Today he was training well. Maybe he will have the possibility to be involved in some minutes.»

Nkunku, who joined the west Londoners from RB Leipzig in the summer for around £52million, was dealt a blow to his knee during a pre-season clash against Borussia Dortmund in the United States and he's not played since. The 26-year-old forward finally returned to the matchday squad against Sheffield United at the weekend and, as he steps up his rehabilitation, he'll be hoping for a few minutes against Newcastle.

As for Lavia, he's been nursing an ankle issue since joining from Southampton. With Nkunku expected to transform Chelsea's fortunes in front of goal, Pochettino explained what it's been like to create team in the Frenchman's absence.

«That is what we project – it's how people think,» he said. «I think we have [Nicolas] Jackson or [Armando] Broja now. Nkunku can play number ten, number seven number eleven. Also was a question mark, it's about the combination.

»During the pre-season we used in different positions. Now it is a process, only in the last few weeks, to find the combination that was different in pre-season to now because the team has involved. His priority is to feel 100%. See in which