Thomas Tuchel confirms Romelu Lukaku WILL play against Aston Villa after shaking off a thigh issue… but Chelsea boss will be without injured duo N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic
- Romelu Lukaku is fit to play for Chelsea against Aston Villa on Saturday night
- The Belgian needed a scan on a thigh issue sustained on international duty
- Thomas Tuchel will be without N’Golo Kante though, due to an ankle problem
- Christian Pulisic is facing 10 days out as well after suffering an ankle knock
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Romelu Lukaku is fit to play against Aston Villa on Saturday, but both N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic are sidelined.
Striker Lukaku required a scan on a thigh injury sustained on international duty with Belgium, during which he scored three goals despite missing one of their three matches through suspension.
It left the £98million forward at risk of missing the Stamford Bridge clash but Tuchel revealed on Friday that he will have his talisman available for selection.
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Romelu Lukaku will be fit for Chelsea’s game with Aston Villa
Striker Lukaku required a scan on a thigh injury sustained on international duty with Belgium
Asked if Lukaku had any issues since he returned to Cobham, the German said: ‘No, not at all.
‘Maybe he had some problems but he came back two days ago, yesterday (Thursday) he trained with us, today he trained fully, no problems at all.’
It means Lukaku is in line for his second Stamford Bridge debut after making his first two appearances for the club at Arsenal and Liverpool.
However, Chelsea have been dealt a double injury below with Kante and Pulisic unavailable.
Kante was forced to leave France’s training camp after failing to shrug off the ankle injury that forced him off at half-time at Anfield last month.
Meanwhile winger Pulisic had to come off in the USA’s clash with Honduras and Tuchel revealed he is out for 10 days.
N’Golo Kante will miss the Aston Villa game after failing to overcome a thigh problem
Christian Pulisic is facing 10 days out after suffering an ankle injury whilst playing for the USA
The Blues boss added: ‘Unfortunately we have two players out in N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic.
‘They came back both injured. N’Golo got injured in the Liverpool game and still suffers a little bit.
‘We’re trying with N’Golo for Tuesday. For Christian he returned yesterday (Thursday) on crutches. An ankle injury with about 10 days.’
One player who can feature on Saturday, however, is new signing Saul Niguez.
Tuchel continued: ‘I personally was a bit concerned to go into the season with only Jorginho, Mateo (Kovacic) and N’Golo (Kante).
‘Not because of a lack of quality of character – I’m the happiest coach I can be to have these three guys – but it is unpredictable.
‘I know the player since many, many years. I was fighting in some other clubs for the player but it wasn’t possible. So in the end,when it was possible to have the loan, we were excited by it.’
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