Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill have been left out of the matchday squad for Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
Joao Pedro suffered a knock ahead of Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur, football.london understands. The Blues striker was one of three big names to be left out of the matchday squad at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, with Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill also missing out.
The Chelsea right-back sustained a minor injury in the days building up to the match, while the Cobham graduate was rested, having only recently returned to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Earlier this month, Colwill, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on the first day of pre-season training in early August, made his first start for Chelsea in almost a year. He helped the Blues salvage a point against Liverpool at Anfield.
A week later, the England international started – and finished – the FA Cup final. Despite Colwill's best efforts, he couldn't lead Chelsea to victory at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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With only a couple of days to prepare for the clash against the Lilywhites, the 23-year-old centre-half was omitted from the matchday squad due to load management. Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Monday morning, Calum McFarlane provided an update on Colwill.
The interim Blues boss said: "Yeah, we need to be careful with Levi. He's obviously come in the back of a very serious injury. He's performed well in those two games.
"We'll see how he looks today, we'll see how he reports, and we'll make a decision on that. But definitely, I agree, we have to manage him right."
McFarlane later added: "Yeah, it's been great to have Levi back. Great for English football as well. I think we've got a really, really talented, really high-potential player here, and injuries are a part of it, and he's shown really good mental strength and character to come through that and perform away at Anfield and in an FA Cup final.
"So yeah, really, really excited about Levi. He's added a lot to the team, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well. So it's been a brilliant two games for him, and hopefully he can finish the season strong."
Having lost to Pep Guardiola's side in the FA Cup final, Chelsea can now only qualify for either of UEFA's three club competitions via the Premier League. On how motivated the Blues are to climb the table and seal European football, McFarlane said: "Yeah, we're very, very focused.
"We need to win the next two games to give ourselves the best chance to finish as high up in the league as possible and get European football. That is our only focus in doing our job and putting in the performance we need to be a good side."
McFarlane added: "I think the players have shown in the last two games that their fight and their heart has been questioned at times. I think they've shown in the last two games that, for me, that's not an issue.
"Everyone knows the rivalry between Chelsea and Tottenham, but ultimately, both teams have got a lot to play for. So I don't think we're going to have to do anything extra special to motivate the lads.
"We need six points from our next two games. I think they need a point to almost guarantee safety. So both teams are fighting at different parts of the table, but both teams are fighting for the point.
"So we shouldn't need to add any extra motivation. But it will naturally be there with a London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham."