Chelsea defender suffers injury setback on return to training

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Chelsea defender suffers injury setback on return to training

Chelsea centre-back Benoit Badiashile has seen his return to action delayed after suffering a "minor setback" in training.

Badiashile picked up a hamstring injury back in May and has not been seen since, with the Frenchman still waiting for his first appearance under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

A return to team training last week brought Badiashile closer to a comeback but Nathan Gissing now states that the defender suffered a "minor setback" and is now back doing individual work again.

It is stressed that Badiashile is not believed to have suffered any serious damage and the hope is that the 22-year-old is back in team training again next week.

Badiashile will, therefore, remain sidelined when Aston Villa visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday alongside fellow defender Trevoh Chalobah, who is just one of a number of injury concerns plaguing Pochettino's squad.

Midfielder Moises Caicedo was not spotted in training on Wednesday. The Ecuador international missed Chelsea's draw with Bournemouth after picking up a knock while away with his country and has not yet made his comeback, putting his involvement against Villa in jeopardy.

Striker Armando Broja is nearing a return from a serious ACL injury but is not expected to return to competitive action just yet.

Long-term absentees Reece James and Christopher Nkunku remain unavailable, as does Romeo Lavia, who twisted his ankle during the international break.

Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto have both shaken off minor muscle issues to return to training, while Marc Cucurella is believed to have recover from an illness.