Chelsea duo Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James fitness doubts for Lille tie

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James face a “very, very tight” race to be fit in time for Chelsea’s Champions League trip to Lille, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has said.

Hudson-Odoi has an Achilles issue and James a leg muscle complaint, with both academy graduates big doubts for the Champions League last-16 second leg in France.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta should be available after illness, while wing-back Marcos Alonso is back to full health after Covid-19.

Chelsea provisional squad: Mendy, Arrizabalaga, Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger, Silva, Sarr, Azpilicueta, Alonso, James, Kante, Joriginho, Kovacic, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Niguez, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz, Werner, Lukaku.