Kovacic’s injury update ahead of Carabao League match vs Man City

Chelsea manager Graham Potter will also be without the club’s midfielder Mateo Kovacic when they take on Man City in the Carabao League on Wednesday evening.

Potter in a press conference while speaking about the midfielder, who is dealing with a knee problem, explained how the player and staff have been managing the injury.

‘He’s just had an ongoing knee issue that’s a little bit of discomfort, but it hasn’t stopped him completely. Certainly we’ve had to be conscious of that fact during this period. It’s not a massive problem for him, he’ll be fine for the World Cup, it’s fine.

‘I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily 100 per cent but he’s not far away from that. It’s just that we’ve managed it really well and he’s managed it really well. He’s a top professional, he’s done everything he can in terms of rehab and looking after himself in the gym, making sure his body’s as good as it can be.

‘He’s a fantastic professional, but I think it’s been going on pretty much from pre-season and we’ve tried to make the best of it.’