Chelsea keeper Mendy in ‘race against time’

Edouard Mendy faces a “race against time” to be fit for Chelsea’s game against Manchester City on Saturday, according to Thomas Tuchel.

The goalkeeper missed Sunday’s win at Tottenham because of a knock to his hip he sustained during the recent Champions League game against Zenit.

He has not yet been able to return to training and will not be involved in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa, although he would not have been expected to feature in that game in any case.

Mendy hopes to train in some way on Wednesday and then rejoin the rest of the squad for training on Thursday.

Blues boss Tuchel explained: “He cannot play. He was not in training.

“We will hopefully reintegrate him tomorrow and hopefully Thursday’s team training.”

Asked if Mendy is likely to be fit for the City game, Tuchel said: “I think it’s possible but it’s a bit of a race against pain and race against time. Let’s see.

“I hope he will be back in team training on Thursday. If this goes well he can be ready for Saturday, but right now I don’t know.”

Tuchel is set to make changes for the Villa game, with a number of fringe players likely to be involved.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Tuchel said there was a “big chance” Ruben Loftus-Cheek will play.

The German also suggested that recent signing Saul Niguez might well be given an outing.

Tuchel added: “There will be changes because we will take the opportunity to give important minutes in an important competition to guys who are missing the minutes at the moment.”