{"id":8596,"date":"2026-05-15T06:30:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T06:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8596"},"modified":"2026-05-15T06:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T06:30:51","slug":"chelsea-set-to-welcome-back-three-players-to-matchday-squad-as-triple-injury-boost-confirmed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8596","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea set to welcome back three players to matchday squad as triple injury boost confirmed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_01dda3\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Chelsea interim boss Callum McFarlane has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday&#8217;s FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">13:43, 14 May 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 14:35, 14 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33946659\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Callum McFarlane\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33946659.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2255286021.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33946659.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2255286021.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33946659.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2255286021.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33946659.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2255286021.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Callum McFarlane has given the latest Chelsea injury news\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Callum McFarlane has given the latest Chelsea injury news<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea have been handed a triple injury boost ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Interim head coach Callum McFarlane has delivered an update on Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Robert Sanchez ahead of their potential returns to the team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Blues have been brutally struck by a plague of injuries in recent weeks, which left McFarlane without no natural wingers fit for the 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend. Neto and Garnacho missed the match at Anfield with muscular\u2011related knocks, while Sanchez had his head split open against Nottingham Forest earlier this month and required on\u2011pitch bandaging from Chelsea&#8217;s medics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sanchez was left bloodied following a collision with Forest&#8217;s Morgan Gibbs-White, which left both players on the floor clutching their heads. The Spaniard was the second Chelsea player forced off with a head injury at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Things are now looking hopeful for the trio ahead of a huge chance to secure silverware before the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, McFarlane confirmed : &#8220;Pedro Neto and Ale Garnacho have trained well this week. Looking hopeful for them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">On Sanchez, McFarlane added: &#8220;Yep. Same news as the other lads, to be honest. He&#8217;s trained really well this week so we will see on Saturday.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">On the injury front, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Jesse Derry remain sidelined heading into the final two Premier League games of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, Levi Colwill also made his long\u2011awaited comeback after 295 days without playing, featuring in the 3-1 defeat to Forest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article29688868.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">McFarlane says he is working hard to get back to the levels Chelsea fans are used to. &#8220;Again, a really good training week,&#8221; the interim boss continued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;He&#8217;s focused on getting himself back and playing for Chelsea. He wants to continue playing at the level he did against Liverpool.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The potential return of Neto, Garnacho and Sanchez is a major boost for Chelsea as they look to lift the FA Cup following an underwhelming campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">McFarlane has suggested the mood in the camp is positive, with players confident they can get the job done against Pep Guardiola&#8217;s City. &#8220;I&#8217;ve been happy with the whole group &#8211; players in the squad and players out the squad,&#8221; he stated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The level of professionalism at times. I&#8217;m confident we will get a similar level of performance as we did vs Liverpool. We ticked a lot of boxes in that game. I&#8217;m confident we can get that again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;When you&#8217;re at a club like this, there&#8217;s always pressure. There&#8217;s pressure to win every game but this game as well &#8211; we have to embrace that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, the west Londoners&#8217; record against City is far from impressive, having struggled to beat them in any competition since 2021.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Their most recent victory came in the Champions League final, when Kai Havertz&#8217;s strike proved decisive at the Estadio do Dragao.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And McFarlane warned: &#8220;They have the belief they can beat anyone. We know we need to be the best version of ourselves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We have some really good players and they have shown they can beat anyone if they are at their best.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The FA Cup final at Wembley is scheduled to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, May 16.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea interim boss Callum McFarlane has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday&#8217;s FA Cup&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8597,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8596"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8596\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}