Pochettino reveals whether Nkunku will play against Newcastle on Tuesday

Photo: Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

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Mauricio Pochettino has again cast doubt whether Christopher Nkunku will finally make his Chelsea debut when the Blues come up against Newcastle United on Tuesday.

Nkunku suffered a knee injury during pre-season, and has been away for the past four months.

The Frenchman was on the bench against Sheffield United, but didn’t make it on to the pitch, as Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

While speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup meeting with Newcastle, Poch was asked whether the 26-year-old will play a part in the quarter final clash, and he replied the media: “How I see today? I can tell you he can maybe play 20 minutes.”

Asked why the forward wasn’t involved against Sheffield United, Poch answered: “In my mind, 1-2% of doubt that’s why I didn’t want to take a risk. I need to be 100%.”

“Lavia, still no,” the boss added. And on Reece James, he said: “At the moment, we don’t know [if he needs surgery]. Still time to see. The next few days we will see and know the possibilities of the options.”