Chelseavs.Spurs

The Blues responded to their most recent derby setback - a 5-0 reverse at Arsenal - by producing a spirited comeback to secure a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday night.

However, the share of the spoils did little to boost Chelsea's top-seven hopes, and Mauricio Pochettino knows that his players need to deliver against his former club if they wish to continue to challenge for European qualification.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the showdown with Spurs, who lost a five-goal thriller to Arsenal on Sunday.

Robert Sanchez

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Spurs)

Robert Sanchez was again absent from the ranks to face Villa, the latest update being due to illness, but the Spaniard is said to have returned to partial training.

Levi Colwill

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Toe

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Spurs)

Levi Colwill has been dealing with a troublesome toe problem for nearly two months and while the defender has stepped up his recovery, he was ruled out of the Villa game. If the England international is in a position to return on Thursday, it will be among the replacements at best.

Christopher Nkunku

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Spurs)

Christopher Nkunku is in a similar position to Colwill with Pochettino waiting to see how his body reacts to a return to training. That has now been happening for longer than a week, and a decision needs to be made when to take a chance on the France international.

Wesley Fofana

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

The hapless Wesley Fofana remains glued to the treatment table due to his serious knee injury, and Pochettino has conceded he does not envisage the Frenchman returning before the end of the season.

Reece James

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Similarly, captain Reece James is on the recovery trail from hamstring surgery, and no timeframe has been placed on his recovery, but the right-back has at least returned to partial training.

Lesley Ugochukwu

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Spurs)

Lesley Ugochukwu, who is yet to appear in 2024 due to a hamstring injury, is another who has recently stepped up his recovery, from a long-term hamstring injury in this instance. A spot on the substitutes' bench is not out of the question.

Romeo Lavia

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Romeo Lavia's debut season at Chelsea will end with just one appearance to his name, as the Belgian is nursing a severe thigh problem and has already been ruled out until the 2024-25 season.

Malo Gusto

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Malo Gusto suffered a knee issue during the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City and has subsequently missed the last two games. As it stands, the likelihood is that he will remain absent for this fixture.

Ben Chilwell

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Similarly, Ben Chilwell has been suffering from a recurrence of the knee injury that he picked up on England duty and there is no timeframe on his return to action.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Unspecified

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Spurs)

Carney Chukwuemeka was added to the Chelsea injury update last Friday, it being said that he was "undergoing medical assessment", and the playmaker did not feature in the squad against former club Villa. As it stands, no further update has been provided.

Raheem Sterling

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Unspecified

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Aston Villa)

Raheem Sterling is in the same situation as Chukwuemeka, it being unclear whether he will be in contention to face Spurs

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Chelsea have no players suspended for this match.