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Football London
Football London
Sport
Scott Trotter

Graham Potter receives Kalidou Koulibaly injury boost ahead of Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea

Kalidou Koulibaly was in Chelsea training on Monday after missing's Chelsea draw against West Ham through illness. The Senegal international was absent from the squad that drew with the Irons after suffering an ailment overnight.

The former Napoli star's return comes at an important time with Benoit Badiashile being unavailable for Wednesday's clash against Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion. The Frenchman has formed a solid partnership with Thiago Silva over the last four games and kept three clean sheets in that peirod but was not among the three players Graham Potter was allowed to add to his Champions League squad for the knockout stages.

Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez were the trio chosen from January's new signings, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was taken out of the squad to facilitate space for those alterations. The forward has not made either of Chelsea's matchday squads against Fulham and West Ham since that decision was made.

READ MORE: Marc Cucurella pressure increases as Ian Maatsen sends clear message - Chelsea loan round-up

Koulibaly's return will likely see him compete with Trevoh Chalobah for a place in the Blues' backline unless Potter opts to utilise three central defenders. However, Wesley Fofana has continued his return to fitness by also training on Monday.

The 22-year-old French defender has not played for Chelsea since being injured against AC Milan in October after suffering a setback in a December friendly. Potter noted that Fofana was getting closer to being available ahead of Chelsea's draw with West Ham.

Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria are in a similar position to their defensive teammate and were also present at Cobham on Monday ahead of the club flying to Dortmund on Tuesday afternoon. Raheem Sterling picked up a knee injury in training last week and was not featured in the club's released photographs.

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