Chelsea suffer triple fitness blow ahead of Newcastle game

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed a triple blow ahead of the Premier League meeting against Newcastle United.

The Blues recently drew 2-2 against Brentford on the road. As a result, they remain in the bottom half of the table with 36 points.

The club will be aiming to return to winning ways, but ahead of the game, Pochettino has confirmed bad news on three players.

Ben Chilwell picked up a knee injury in the recent outing and he has gone to see a specialist, Pochettino said: "We need to wait until he sees the specialist.

"I cannot go in advance. I hope it's not a big issue but after eight or nine months here at the club, I prefer to wait."

Meanwhile, Levi Colwill has an issue with his toe while Conor Gallagher has been ruled out as well after picking up a virus.

The news is a bad blow for the west London giants, who need to start winning games to qualify for European football.

Despite their inconsistent form, the Blues are only six points behind seventh-placed West Ham with a game in hand.