Chelsea midfielder Kovacic sidelined by ankle ligament injury

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Mateo Kovacic will miss Chelsea’s game against Arsenal on Wednesday and could be facing at least a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

The Croatian midfielder hobbled off during the first half of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace with an ankle problem.

Scans have subsequently revealed some ligament damage and Kovacic is therefore also a doubt for the upcoming matches against West Ham and Manchester United.


Head coach Thomas Tuchel explained: “Kova is out for the game. It’s a ligament injury. Hopefully not longer than two weeks.

“Two weeks can be a long time for us in terms of games, so hopefully he can make it back as soon as possible, but this is the kind of time frame.”

Tuchel also confirmed that Callum Hudson-Odoi is still unavailable because of an Achilles problem and that Ben Chilwell will not return from his long-term knee injury before the end of the season.

“I don’t think we will rush this at the end of the season,” Tuchel said.

“Ben will now be in the transition to join academy training with the youth – to have team training but not at the physicality level like with us.

“Hopefully he can join our training at the end of the season. This is the plan for him. But no, no matches.

“For Callum it’s a bit day-by-day, and still it’s not possible for him to join with training.”