Chelsea handed double injury boost ahead of Lille game

Head coach Thomas Tuchel has suggested that Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount are both pushing to return to the Chelsea squad for Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Lille.

Both players were absent for the Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace at the weekend with Azpilicueta carrying a groin issue and Mount having recently suffered ankle ligament damage.

The latter had been in a race against time to make Sunday's EFL Cup final, but it appears that the England international is back in contention earlier than anticipated.

However, Callum Hudson-Odoi is expected to miss out for a second game in succession with an Achilles problem.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Tuchel said: "Azpi looks much better than Callum. Callum did not train yesterday, Azpi did and had no reaction. If it stays like this, he is available for tomorrow.

"Mason did a very good individual session. I think he will try to come back to team training today, but he was out maybe a little bit too long to start.

"Perhaps he is involved in the squad, but he has not trained with the team yet."

Tuchel also confirmed that Reece James remains absent as he returns to team training after a hamstring injury.