Tuchel provides positive Lukaku and Hudson-Odoi fitness update

Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudon-Odoi have both tested negative for Covid-19 and if they do so again on Thursday then they can return to training with the rest of the Chelsea squad.

Both have been out after testing positive for the virus, sitting out the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford on Wednesday night and the Premier League draws with Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers last Thursday and Sunday.

However, they could be available again on Sunday when the Blues travel to Aston Villa, but only if they can return another negative test result.

Speaking after the win over Brentford, Tuchel said: ‘If I understand correctly it will be a negative test first of all, I believe we had a negative test for Romelu and Callum.

‘It is good news, don’t get me wrong but I am not overexcited now because I know I need to check how they are.’

It has been a frustrating time for Lukaku since his big summer move from Inter Milan after being sidelined with an ankle injury and then hit with the virus.

The Belgian has not started a Premier League game since October and has been limited to three league goals in his 11 appearances since the start of the season, although he did net on his Champions League return against Zenit this month.

Hudson-Odoi has made nine Premier League appearances this campaign, as recently as 11 December in the 3-2 win over Leeds United and will be hoping to make a swift return on Boxing Day at Villa Park.

Tuchel didn’t give an update on the fitness and availability of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell or Hakim Ziyech, but Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante should return against Villa.

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