Chelsea attacker facing fitness race to feature in Sunderland clash - reports

Chelsea attacker Geovany Quenda reportedly is facing a race against time to be fit in time for the Blues’ trip to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.

The 19-year-old was absent from his side’s first team training session on Wednesday's due to a minor muscular injury, and again missed out on Thursday's preparations at Cobham. According to local outlet Football.London, sources close to the player suggest that he is expected to return to Xabi Alonso’s plans on Friday afternoon, after which a decision will be made over whether he is able to travel to Wearside this weekend.

Quenda signed for Chelsea from Portuguese giants Sporting CP for a fee of around £44 million during the summer transfer window, and has since gone on to make five top flight appearances for his new club. While four have come from the bench, he did register his first start for Alonso’s men in last month’s 2-0 defeat at the hand of Tottenham Hotspur.

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If Quenda does miss out on Sunday’s trip to the North East, he will join a Chelsea injury list that already includes England international Reece James, top goalscorer Joao Pedro, and former Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. James is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery on a knee issue, while Pedro and Lacroix are both grappling with hamstring complaints.

Elsewhere, former Sunderland academy graduate Jordan Henderson and Dutch defender Jorrel Hato could be in contention to feature against the Black Cats, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also returned to training earlier this week.

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