Mauricio Pochettino gets Christopher Nkunku injury boost as he gives Chelsea update for Man City

Christopher Nkunku has returned to partial team training ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup-semi final clash against Man City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening. It is a huge game for both Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues as they look to finish such a mixed season on a positive note.

Chelsea have already played at Wembley this season in the Carabao Cup final and they will be looking to make it three times in total in 2023/24 as they bid to reach the final of the FA Cup at the end of May. In order to achieve that target, the head coach will want as many players fit and firing for the game against last season's treble winners.

Some positive news for Chelsea ahead ahead of the showdown is that Nkunku, who has been out with a hamstring injury, and Robert Sanchez are involved in partial team training after their recent absences. In an injury update on Chelsea's official website, the club also confirmed that Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu continue to undergo their respective rehabilitation programmes.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference at Cobham on Friday afternoon, Pochettino issued an update on Nkunku's fitness. He said: "They assess him day by day and in the last few days he has the possibility to be involved in some parts of the training session.

"We now need to see the reaction of his body and see how he evolves. We hope he can be involved soon."

READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino already knows controversial Chelsea decision he must make for Man City clash

READ MORE: Pochettino's new Sterling alternative, Matos success, Anjorin promotion - Chelsea loan latest

The Blues will go into Saturday's FA Cup semi-final in confident mood after hitting Everton for six in west London on Monday evening. Man City, on the other hand, had to play 120 minutes against Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday evening before eventually going out on penalties.

That may influence Pep Guardiola's team selection this weekend, especially with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne making way in the closing minutes of that contest. Chelsea and City have already met twice this campaign, with both games ending on level terms following entertaining 4-4 and 1-1 draws in November and February respectively.