James, Mudryk, Broja: Chelsea team news to face Spurs as Pochettino handed welcome boost

Mauricio Pochettino is set to have Mykhailo Mudryk available for Chelsea to face Spurs on Monday night.

Chelsea are back in Premier League action after progressing into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Newcastle United, and they come up against Ange Postecoglou’s high-flying Tottenham in north London.

Spurs can return to the top of the table with a win over Pochettino‘s side, while a win for Chelsea will move them back into the top half.

As the injury problems continue to provide the Chelsea head coach with selection headaches, Reece James will continue to be available for selection against Spurs after returning last month following a hamstring injury.

“I don’t know,” responded Pochettino pre-match on whether James will play the full 90 minutes on Monday. “We’ll see. We’ll see first of all if he’s available. Then if my decision is to play with him or not.”

He added: “It was good for him to start a game after a few months (against Blackburn). For the team, because he’s our captain, he’s a very important player. Now we need to assess him to see if he’s ready to start or not on Monday.”

Mykhailo Mudryk returned to training ahead of the game after missing both the Brentford loss and Blackburn win with a minor injury problem.

Pochettino is hopeful of Armando Broja making Chelsea’s bench after a minor knee setback, adding: “Good because today (Friday) we were talking and maybe he will be available to be on the bench for Monday. He is training today and hope he can be involved.”

Benoit Badiashile made his first appearance of the season on Wednesday night against Blackburn and is in contention to keep his place in the side. Thiago Silva will be eyeing a return to the starting XI after being rested for the Carabao Cup tie.

Remainder of Chelsea’s injury list for Spurs clash

Trevoh Chalobah – continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.

Ben Chilwell – continuing rehabilitation programme out of the country this week.

Carney Chukwuemeka – continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.

Wesley Fofana – continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.

Romeo Lavia – continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.

Christopher Nkunku – continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme