Potter rules Chelsea duo out of Leicester clash & shares Kante update
Graham Potter has revealed that both Reece James and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are not available for Chelsea’s clash at Leicester City on Saturday.
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Chelsea go into the game at the King Power in high spirits having beaten Borussia Dortmund 2-0 last Tuesday to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
With that win coming soon after a 1-0 victory against Leeds, it seems that Potter may finally how found a system that works at Stamford Bridge having endured a wretched run of form just prior.
However he will have to do without one, maybe two, of the players who started the Dortmund win when his side travel to Leicester, as the manager revealed his side had suffered several injuries since then.
‘Reece has been ill, so hasn’t trained today. He won’t make the game tomorrow,’ the manager said in his pre-match press conference.
‘Aubameyang has a slight problem with his back so he’s looking like he’ll miss the game. Raheem [Sterling] had a little feeling in his hamstring, so looking doubtful tomorrow.’
The absence of James is a painful one given there are no other natural right-backs currently in the squad but the potential loss of Sterling could be greater.
The forward netted the opening goal against Dortmund, is the Blues’ joint leading goalscorer this campaign, and had only just recovered from hamstring and knee issues.
Potter was also able to offer an update on N’Golo Kante who has been on the sidelines since August with a thigh problem.
It was said at the start of March that he was back in training but his recovery could not be rushed though his return may now just be around the corner.
Asked if the defensive midfielder could play against his former club on Saturday, Potter replied: ‘No, N’Golo won’t. We’re looking to build him up. Maybe Everton [on March 18].’
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