Chelsea have received a significant triple injury boost ahead of the FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City this weekend. Interim boss Calum McFarlane confirmed that goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, winger Alejandro Garnacho, and forward Pedro Neto are all expected to be available for the Wembley clash.
A chance to salvage the season
The Blues can rescue a disappointing campaign with silverware on Saturday, following an improved performance against Liverpool last weekend. That result ended a run of six consecutive Premier League defeats, despite the team having no wingers available for that match.
Garnacho and Neto missed the Liverpool game, while Estevao Willian is out for the season and Jamie Gittens remains unavailable. Sanchez was sidelined after a sickening head clash with Morgan Gibbs-White in the previous match against Nottingham Forest, with Filip Jorgensen starting in goal at Anfield.
Positive signs in training
McFarlane told a press conference on Thursday: 'Pedro Neto and Ale Garnacho have trained well this week, so looking really good, really hopeful with them as well. So, yeah, positive signs.'
When asked about Sanchez, he added: 'Yes, same news as the other lads, to be honest. Really positive, he's trained well this week and we're really hopeful to get him to Saturday.'
Defender Levi Colwill also impressed in the Liverpool game, playing the full 90 minutes after featuring for 45 minutes against Nottingham Forest. The England international, who missed most of the season with an ACL injury, could play a major role in the final.
'He has a really good rehab,' McFarlane said. 'He'd played a few games before. He played for us against Forest. So, again, a really good training week for Levi. He was exceptional against Liverpool. So, again, we're really hopeful.'
Captain Reece James has also been declared fit after coming off the bench at Anfield. 'He's trained well this week. Happy with Reece. Good to get him some minutes before he played well when he came on as well. So, yeah, largely positive around Reece,' McFarlane added.
