Malo Gusto has missed Chelsea’s last two games through injury (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Malo Gusto has returned from injury and could feature in the side’s Carabao Cup clash with Barrow.
Gusto, 21, was forced off in the second half of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace due to a muscle problem and missed the Blues’ last two matches in the Premier League against Bournemouth and West Ham.
But the right-back, who impressed in Reece James’ absence last season, has stepped up his rehabilitation in recent days and is fit and available to start in Tuesday’s third-round tie at Stamford Bridge.
However, central midfielder Romeo Lavia and club captain James remain sidelined with hamstring injuries and will play no part against Chelsea’s League Two opposition.
Maresca is hopeful Lavia could recover in time for Chelsea’s next match in the league at home to Brighton this weekend.
‘Malo is available for tomorrow,’ Maresca told reporters at his pre-match press conference this afternoon.
‘Romeo is not available. Hopefully he can be available for the Brighton game.’
Lavia is yet to recover from his muscle problem (Picture: Getty)
Maresca believes Tuesday’s encounter will be a great opportunity for Chelsea’s more peripheral squad members to put their hand up for selection.
‘It will be a chance to give them some minutes in the same way as we have done in the Europa Conference League, we try to share minutes with them,’ the Italian added.
‘Hopefully it can be a good chance for them to show a little bit themselves and also continue to get minutes.
Maresca’s side do battle with Barrow for a place in the fourth round (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s important but not because we think that we’re going to win this competition. It’s important because it’s an official game.
‘It’s a different competition but it’s an official game.
‘We’re going to try in the way we always try, prepare in the best way and try to win.’
Summer signing Dewsbury-Hall could start against Barrow (Picture: Getty)
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been limited to just two starts – which both came in the Europa Conference League – since joining Chelsea in a £30million move from Leicester.
But the 26-year-old midfielder could be in line to play from the off against Barrow.
Asked whether Dewsbury-Hall will be given the nod from the start, Maresca replied: ‘Probably. We have a session this afternoon and I like to tell the players before.
‘We need to understand Kiernan was the main player at Leicester and he is not now.
For him, you need to adapt, mentally you need to adapt. That period requires time to understand that and adapt.
‘I am completely happy with Kiernan, the way he is doing.’
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