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Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia spotted as Chelsea receive double defensive injury boost

Chelsea stars are in training ahead of the Premier League clash with Newcastle and will soon welcome back their international stars as well as those returning from injury

Romeo Lavia of Chelsea during an individual training session at the Chelsea Training Ground(Image: Darren Walsh)

The international break is not quite over but the countdown is well underway to Chelsea's Premier League clash with Newcastle. The Blues head to St James' Park on Saturday hoping to build upon two dramatic matches against Tottenham and Manchester City.

Mauricio Pochettino's preparation has had to see him do without stars such as Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer, with a smaller group being available during the first week of the break. The Blues boss has however, had the benefit of working with captain Reece James who did not join up with England in a bid to maintain his recovery from injury.

Those not joining up with their international sides had time for a break, but Monday saw them back in action at Cobham ahead of a crucial match with the west London side hoping to lift themselves from 10th in the division. football.london takes a look at what can be gleaned from the club's media releases from the sessions.

Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia spotted

Pochettino revealed that there was hope the duo could be involved in Chelsea's plans following the international break but they would be monitored 'day by day' as they looked to complete their comebacks. The pair worked together on Chelsea's training pitches ahead of the west London side's match against Man City but were absent from pictures and videos that the Blues put out over the course of the first week of the Premier League pause.

Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia were both featured on Monday night, however, and pictured running together underneath the floodlights at Chelsea's Cobham training base. They remained separate from the rest of the group, so perhaps the possibility of returning versus Newcastle remains unlikely but their progress over the course of this week is certainly to be watched.

Perhaps that should come as no surprise following Pochettino's last conversation with Nkunku. The Blues boss explained: "We had some conversation and he said to me, 'Coach, I want to be ready for after international break, Newcastle'. I asked him yesterday and he said 'hmmm', and I said 'you are liar'. 'No, no I am ready'.

"It is close and he is doing really well. We are so happy with him, the way he is recovering, he is very professional. Romeo Lavia is also close. They trained today on the pitch. Hope that next week will be involved with the team and see after. Day by day see when it is possible to play with the team."

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