Malo Gusto: Lyon offer ‘not a big problem’ injury update on Chelsea’s £26m January signing

Chelsea have received an injury update from Lyon manager Laurent Blanc on the fitness of new signing Malo Gusto after he was forced off through injury.

The 19-year-old was replaced by Castello Lukeba just after the half hour mark in France on Wednesday night during their Round of 16 Coupe de France clash against LOSC Lille, which Lyon won 4-2 on penalties to progress after it ended 2-2 in normal time.

When Gusto was replaced and holding his hamstring, Chelsea would have expressed concern for their January signing who was acquired, loaned back to Lyon for the rest of the season, to provide cover and competition for Reece James who has just returned from a knee injury.

However, Blanc confirmed it’s not a major problem for the teenager and Gusto was replaced as a precaution.

As quoted by L’Equipe, the Lyon boss said: “It’s a pain he’s been feeling for some time. It’s not a big problem, but it bothers him physically and mentally. 

“We will try to treat him well… I don’t think it will take too long, but it has to be done.”

It leaves the right-back as a doubt for Sunday’s clash against Lens.

Chelsea’s injury concerns are also reducing back at Cobham. James, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling made their first appearances against Fulham last week since returning from injury, while Denis Zakaria and Wesley Fofana have both re-joined the group in training.

Potter and Co will be hoping Gusto gets back to fitness quickly and available for selection to help Lyon in the run-in for the final months of the Ligue 1 season.