Injured Gusto ruled out of semi-final

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Chelsea will be without a natural right-back for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg after Malo Gusto was ruled out.

Gusto picked up an injury against Fulham and will miss the game against Middlesbrough, leaving boss Mauricio Pochettino with a dilemma at right-back, with Reece James still sidelined.

Christian Nkunku is also out of the match, which Chelsea trail 1-0 following defeat in the opening leg at the Riverside Stadium, but Pochettino is hopeful the French forward will be able to return from a hip problem soon.


“It’s a shame but he’s in recovery, I hope as soon as possible he can be ready again and help the team,” Pochettino said of Nkunku.

“With long-term injuries, finding the balance is the most difficult thing and he suffered a little bit with his hip.

“Now he’s recovering. It’s not a big issue but we’re waiting on the possibility again for him to be ready for the group.”

Pochettino says he expects Cesare Casadei to feature in his Premier League squads soon after being recalled from his loan spell at Championship leaders Leicester.

“I think it’s good news, we were suffering too many injuries and to recover players from a loan, I think it’s good for us,” Pochettino said.

“He was doing really well at Leicester. In the pre-season, he worked really, really well and he was one of the players we suffered a little bit from allowing him to go. I hope he can help.”