Chelsea confirm 20-year-old youngster is 'undergoing rehabilitation' after long absence

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia is yet to rejoin the team training for the first time this year after he suffered a massive setback on his debut against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

The Blues released their injury list ahead of the Premier League game against Brentford and said the 20-year-old was still 'undergoing rehabilitation'.

Lavia turned down interest from Liverpool in the summer to move to west London but his start to life with Mauricio Pochettino's team has been a nightmare. He arrived injured and when he was about to get going then suffered a setback with his ankle.

He took months to get fit and then suffered another setback on his debut that has kept him out for the last three months. Last month, Chelsea boss Pochettino told LondonWorld he had not been fit enough to train with the squad. He said: "What do you want to know about him, he hasn't trained with and is currently out but that is the situation."

The injury to Lavia has limited Pochettino's options to rotate the squad and generate needed competition in midfield.

Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka have also been in and out of the treatment table which has made it quite tough for Chelsea to get the best out of the young players they signed to help the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

Pochettino's team are 11th on the league table going into this weekend's game against Brentford.