Chelsea injuries: Every player out of Carabao Cup final vs Liverpool

Chelsea are aiming to redeem themselves for the failings of this season by lifting the Carabao Cup on Sunday, with the Blues taking on Liverpool at Wembley.

Mauricio Pochettino's side tasted a heavy defeat to the Reds at the end of January, losing 4-1 at Anfield in a nightmarish evening on Merseyside. However, the Blues' form has picked up since then and a final at Wembley may just bring the best out in a young and inexperienced squad.

Much has been made of Liverpool's injury crisis leading up to the final this weekend, but Chelsea have plenty of fitness concerns of their own to contend with ahead of the big game, especially across the backline.

Here are the Chelsea players missing for Sunday's final against Liverpool.

Goalkeeper & defenders

While Chelsea's backline has been struck by a host of injuries, there is positive news for Pochettino in the goalkeeping department. Robert Sanchez has returned to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, although Djordje Petrovic still seems likely to start this weekend given his impressive run in the team.

In the full-back areas, Chelsea are without several key players, most notably captain Reece James. The injury-prone defender suffered a nasty hamstring issue against Everton back in December and is still undergoing his rehabilitation. Malo Gusto will feature in his place against Liverpool.

Marc Cucurella is also absent on the left side of defence despite nearing a return to the team, with Wesley Fofana still on the treatment table after suffering an ACL injury all the way back in July.

Benoit Badiashile limped off against Aston Villa in the FA Cup at the beginning of February and he will miss out on Sunday's clash, while veteran centre-back Thiago Silva is also a major doubt for the game. However, Pochettino has suggested that the Brazilian could play some part in the final depending on the results of a late fitness test.

Midfielders

Carney Chukwuemeka has endured rotten luck with injuries this season and faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in training recently. No timeframe has been put on his return but he will miss Sunday.

Romeo Lavia has had similar misfortune with injuries this campaign and has only played a handful of minutes for Chelsea since his £58m switch. He will miss Sunday's clash against his other suitors in last summer's transfer market with a thigh problem.

There is one other midfield absentee for the Blues and that's young Lesley Ugochukwu. The Frenchman has been injured since Christmas Eve after pulling his hamstring and won't get to feature in a first Chelsea final.

Forwards

The good news for Pochettino is that none of his countless attacking options are unavailable this Sunday, barring any late and unreported injuries. The Argentine has plenty of choices to make ahead of Sunday's final about who may start in the final third, but in-form Cole Palmer is guaranteed a place in the lineup.

Raheem Sterling will also get the chance to get one over on his previous employers having netted against his other former club Manchester City last time out. Nicolas Jackson also looked sharp in that fixture at the Etihad and could feature on the left-hand side or through the middle.

Missing Chelsea players for Carabao Cup final

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