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Champions League | Round of 16 | 2nd Leg

Mar 7, 2023 at 8.10pm UK

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea
2 - 0
Dortmund

(Chelsea win 2-1 on aggregate)

Sterling (43'), Havertz (53' pen.)
Arrizabalaga (65'), Fernandez (77'), Chilwell (90+2'), Cucurella (90+6')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Sule (41'), Bellingham (90+8'), Wolf (90+2')

Graham Potter gives mixed Chelsea injury update ahead of Borussia Dortmund game

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 06 March 2023

Potter gives mixed Chelsea injury update ahead of Dortmund game

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter provides a mixed injury update ahead of the second leg of Chelsea's Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has revealed that only one of Chelsea's injured players are certain to return to the squad for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.

Edouard Mendy and Armando Broja were already known to be absent ahead of Tuesday's match, as is the case with Mason Mount who is suffering with an abdomen problem as well as being suspended.

However, while Reece James, N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic all missed out against Leeds United on Saturday, they have all been in contention to feature against the in-form Bundesliga giants.

James was rested on Saturday due to a minor hamstring issue, with Kante and Pulisic having been sidelined in the long term with hamstring and knee injuries.

At Monday's press conference, Potter revealed that Pulisic is the only one of the trio who is guaranteed to be named in his squad for the crucial encounter at Stamford Bridge.

N'Golo Kante in action for Chelsea on August 14, 2022 © Reuters

Speaking to reporters, the Englishman said: "Reece, we will make a decision on tomorrow. Christian is in the squad. He's trained, and training well, and looking good.

"N'Golo, it is too soon for him. He has had two full training sessions so too soon. But he is looking good so we are going to continue that progress."

Later in the media briefing, Potter was pushed on the plans for Kante, who has not played a competitive game since the second weekend of the season in August.

Although there is anticipation regarding the World Cup winner's return, Potter has hinted that he has no intention of rushing Kante back to action.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during defeat to Arsenal on November 6, 2022. © Reuters

Potter added: "It's a complex one with him because he has had a long time out. It'll be a case of how we get him back up to speed to play Premier League or Champions League football.

"He won't be able to go back in for 90 minutes any time soon but the fact he is with us is exciting."

Chelsea head into the game on Tuesday trailing by a 1-0 deficit courtesy of their narrow defeat at Westfalenstadion last month.

Trailing fourth position by 11 points in the Premier League standings, Chelsea realistically need to prevail versus Dortmund to keep their hopes of Champions League football next season alive.