Pochettino hints that Romeo Lavia COULD be 'involved' for debut on Sunday

Mauricio Pochettino suggested that Romeo Lavia could be 'involved' in Chelsea's Premier League trip to Wolves on Sunday - but insisted handing out appearances is not a 'charity'.

Lavia has been training with the team and is in contention for a place in the squad after suffering an ankle injury in September.

The 19-year-old midfielder is yet to make his Blues debut after the blow he suffered in training more than three months ago, after joining for £58million in the summer.

Pochettino said: 'Lavia is the same as Nkunku. After nearly six months, maybe he will be involved with the team. He is doing well but he still needs time to get his best form.

'What I want to make clear is that all the players, after a big period out of the competition, they are desperate to be involved.

'They can be involved but in which way, which level? It's easy to say you want to play. After six months, they need to understand that they need to be involved and train hard every day. They need to be an impact every time they go on the pitch.

'"I want to play, if I don't have time I can't perform" - players need to understand that it is not a charity thing, it's not a joke. We must win. Sometimes we feel so disappointed because players [find it] difficult to understand, disappointed.'

Speaking on injured captain Reece James, he said: 'He feels well. He has started his recovery. He is one day closer to being with the group.

'We don't know [how long it will be]. Several weeks, months. The most important thing now is to see him again here with us after his surgery and assess him day by day.'

He hopes James can play before March or April, adding: 'I hope less! That is my wish for the New Year. We cannot say the period. He is going to be in the way that his body