Christopher Nkunku is still waiting for his Chelsea debut (Picture: Getty Images)
Levi Colwill will be in the Chelsea squad when they travel to Newcastle on Saturday, but the Blues are still without summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia.
Colwill had suffered a shoulder injury and wasn’t involved in the epic 4-4 draw with Manchester City before the international break.
The defender is back and available ahead of the trip to St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon, but both Nkunku and Lavia remain out.
Both men are still waiting to make their Chelsea debuts, and while Nkunku is closer than Lavia to doing so, neither will be on the pitch this weekend.
‘Colwill yes, he will be in the squad but Lavia and Nkunku still out,’ Pochettino told a pre-match press conference on Friday. ‘It is difficult to say because we need to assess them day by day.
‘They are in a good condition. Nkunku a little bit ahead of Lavia, he was doing things with the group last week but still not full recovery to be part of the squad.’
Wesley Fofana remains out with a serious knee injury and is not close to a return yet, but has been out on the grass of the training pitch this week.
‘It was nice to see him run on the grass and to touch the grass,’ said the Chelsea manager. ‘Massive motivation for him to be there and for us also to see him after a long time off the pitch, it’s good for him to feel the grass.’
Wesley Fofana is yet to play this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Nkunku was one of Chelsea’s biggest signings over the summer, but Pochettino has warned the forward that he faces competition to get into the first team even when he is fit to do so.
‘He is a fantastic player that was top scorer in Bundesliga and he can play in different positions,’ he said. ‘Really bad luck to lose him for the beginning of the season.
‘But step by step we are going to find the best way for him to fit in the team. He’s going to find massive competition because his teammates are ahead of him. He needs to build his form and be in his best level and then compete to with players, it’s a big disadvantage for him.’
MORE : William Gallas sounds Christopher Nkunku warning as Chelsea striker nears return
MORE : William Gallas sends message to out-of-form Manchester United star Raphael Varane
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Chelsea go to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.