Enzo Maresca has provided a Chelsea injury update ahead of Tuesday's clash with Barrow (Image: Getty)
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has revealed that Malo Gusto has returned from injury ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Barrow. Summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is likely to be handed a rare start at Stamford Bridge.
Right-back Gusto missed Chelsea’s Premier League victories over Bournemouth and West Ham with a muscular injury. The Frenchman will be available to play against Barrow, but midfielder Romeo Lavia will continue to miss out.
Maresca said: “Malo is available for tomorrow. Romeo is not available for tomorrow, hopefully he can be for the Brighton game.”
The Chelsea head coach is likely to name a rotated team and said of his players who have not played much this season: “It will be a chance to give them some minutes, to share minutes with them.
“The only thing I mentioned is the reason why we left out of the Conference League squad is because we try to protect players.”
One of the players expected to start the match is midfielder Dewsbury-Hall. The 26-year-old was a £30million signing ahead of the 2024-25 season but has played only 43 minutes of Premier League action this term.
Maresca said of his former Leicester star: “Probably [he will start tomorrow]. We have a session this afternoon and I like to tell the players before.
“We need to understand Kiernan was the main player at Leicester and he is not now. For him, you need to adapt, mentally you need to adapt. That period requires time to understand that and adapt. I am completely happy with Kiernan, the way he is doing.”
Chelsea star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set for a start in the Carabao Cup (Image: Getty)
Academy stars Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong are also likely to be with the first-team squad, Maresca revealed.
But the Italian insists Chelsea will be taking the cup tie seriously due to the potential for a major upset.
Maresca continued: “It is dangerous because football is full of these kinds of games. In this moment, it is the worst game for us. It's better to have a different type of game.
Pressed on whether Chelsea need to prioritise competitions, the 44-year-old added: “Because of the last two years, we cannot allow ourselves to set targets. We need to go game by game and see where we arrive and then fight for that.
“I don't see any competition better than the other one. The Premier League is the main competition, the one where you try to do your best always.”
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