Palmer, Gusto, Chilwell - Chelsea injury news and return dates for Arsenal clash

Chelsea could be without Cole Palmer on Tuesday against Arsenal after Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that the Blues' star man had missed training ahead of the game. The Premier League's joint top-scorer played all 90 minutes of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.

Palmer is one of a long list of doubts for the game as Pochettino continues to be without an increasingly large amount of key players. Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell are both doubts as well after suffering their own problems at Wembley.

The head coach is confident that Palmer's possible absence won't impact his team too much at the Emirates Stadium. "With or without, we believe that we can win," he said. "The most important thing is the team, the collective. Of course, he is an important part of the team. He is doing fantastic for us, but this is Chelsea and there are plenty of players who can perform and do the job also."

Here, football.london has the latest from the Chelsea treatment room ahead of the game.

Cole Palmer

Palmer completed the full 90 minutes of the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Man City. In the early stages of the game, he appeared to be limping with some strapping around his thigh very noticeable - but he did play the whole game.

However, the 21-year-old missed training on Monday through illness, with Pochettino confirming that he is a doubt for the game against Arsenal.

Injury: Illness.

What Pochettino has said: "Today [training], no. We need to assess him tomorrow morning. But today, no, I don't believe he can be involved, but we need to assess him tomorrow and then we can decide.

"Even if he will be good tomorrow, maybe he is not in a condition to play. I hope he can recover from this situation as soon as possible and be involved again with the team."

Possible return date: Unknown.

READ MORE: Every word Pochettino said on Palmer, Gusto and Chilwell, Arsenal vs Chelsea

READ MORE: Pochettino's brutal Chelsea admission signifies summer plans after Man City loss

Malo Gusto

Gusto has endured some injury problems this season with another appearing to emerge against Man City. The France international received treatment from the physios in the final quarter before being subbed off in the 79th minute.

What Pochettino has said: "Malo suffered a minor problem in his knee ligaments. I am not a doctor, but you asked me and I respect trying to translate what is going on. I hope it is not a big issue."

Injury: Unknown.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Ben Chilwell

Chilwell has suffered plenty of knocks this season and was named as a substitute against Man City on Saturday. He came on late in the game but has since become a doubt to play against Arsenal.

injury: Unknown.

What Pochettino has said: Chilly, also, after the national team – it's the same problem he suffered in the last few weeks."

Possible return date: Unknown

Christopher Nkunku

Nkunku is now back in partial team training, according to the official club website. The 26-year-old forward has been out for most of the season, and he's currently missing with a hamstring issue.

Injury: Hamstring.

What Pochettino has 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."

Possible return date: May.

Robert Sanchez

Sanchez had been 'absent due to illness' in the past week but has now returned to partial team training. He struggled with fitness earlier this season, and wasn't included in the FA Cup semi-final squad.

Injury: Illness.

Possible return date: Arsenal (A) - Tuesday, April 23.

Levi Colwill

Colwill is 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme'. The 21-year-old defender has been nursing a toe injury, which has caused him to miss some big games for Chelsea and hasn't played in over four weeks.

Injury: Toe.

What Pochettino has said: "We only found out after the [Brentford] game. We finished with two players who then couldn't train. Levi's problem is his toe."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Reece James

James is 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme'. The 24-year-old defender has recently begun rehabilitation after undergoing hamstring surgery at the end of last year.

He continues to train individually at Cobham. He has been involved in outdoor solo work for over four weeks.

Injury: Hamstring.

What Pochettino has said: "We were talking and he has started his recovery, one day closer to being with the group. This is really positive and we're all positive around him, we are going to help. It's tough for a player with a very complicated and difficult season for him. Now's the process to start to recover and it's one day less until he's part of the group. The most important thing is to start to solve the problem and help him to be strong."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Romeo Lavia

Lavia is 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme'. The 20-year-old midfielder has featured just once for Chelsea this season, having struggled to stay match-fit and escape injury.

Injury: Thigh.

Possible return date: Next season.

Lesley Ugochukwu

The Frenchman has returned to partial team training after four months out. The 20-year-old midfielder's last appearance came on Christmas Eve.

Injury: Unknown.

Possible return date: Next season.

Wesley Fofana

Fofana is 'continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme'. The 23-year-old defender has returned to training on the pitches at Cobham, but he's still considered a long way from returning to action.

Injury: Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

What Pochettino has said: "Unfortunately, I think it is difficult to see Wes playing this season, but you never know."

Possible return date: Next season.