Chelsea might go one step closer to a Wembley appearance on Tuesday night when they exchange the FA Cup for the Carabao Cup. Mauricio Pochettino’s side has advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough in a two-leg match beginning at the Riverside Stadium.

While it’s a tremendous opportunity for some silverware, it won’t be easy to discount Boro in both games, especially with some new injury concerns inside the group. With that said, here’s a rundown of the most recent developments leading up to the match.

Christopher Nkunku

Christopher Nkunku has yet another injury concern, but he did play against Preston. Pochettino stated after the game that the attacker had suffered a new hip problem. While there have been suggestions of a three-week absence on the horizon, contradicting sources say that it was simply a precautionary move to rest the Frenchman before some important games.

Unknown possible return date

Ben Chilwell

Chilwell was injured toward the end of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup match against Brighton in September. Fortunately for the Blues, he’s already back in full squad training with Carney Chukwuemeka, with the two spotted completing small group drills.

January 2024 is a possible return date.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka injured his knee against West Ham in only his second match of the season after picking up a knock before of the game against Arsenal in October. However, he was spotted back in first team training on Friday morning, indicating that a return is imminent.

January 2024 is a possible return date.

Romeo Lavia

Lavia joined the Blues in August but was kept out of matchday squads due to a lack of match fitness before suffering an ankle injury in October. The Belgian international made his debut against Crystal Palace two weeks ago but suffered an injury in the process, and he could sit out this weekend after missing the trip to Luton Town.

January 2024 is a possible return date.

Marc Cucurella

In mid-December, the left-back updated his injury status on social media, posting two photographs of the cast on his left ankle. Cucurella appears to be walking on crutches as he continues his rehabilitation slowly but steadily.

Unknown possible return date

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah has been out with a thigh injury and has yet to play for Chelsea this season. He has returned to grass training, but not with his teammates, it appears. Noni Madueke has now hinted that Chalobah is close to returning with an Instagram story showing the defender practicing on the grass with the ball alone.

Unknown possible return date

Wesley Fofana

Fofana will miss the majority of the season after rupturing his ACL during preseason training. Despite this, he has returned to training on the Cobham pitches.

April 2024 as a possible return date