Raheem Sterling has returned to training after being sidelined with a bout of food poisoning, boosting Chelsea’s attacking options as they bid to knock Manchester City out of their second cup competition in the space of four days.
Sterling’s former club was knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday and must try to overcome that grueling penalty shootout defeat in time for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final showdown at Wembley Stadium.
Sterling’s last appearance was as a substitute in the 4-3 win over Manchester United two weeks ago, a comeback that became a Premier League classic when Cole Palmer scored in the 10th and 11th minutes of stoppage time.
Mail Sport has learned that the 29-year-old’s absence was due to food poisoning, which also caused him to become dehydrated.
The winger lost weight while battling that illness, and manager Mauricio Pochettino had previously said his player had been “vomiting” due to a “virus”, but has now reunited with the team as he looks to regain fitness.
Raheem Sterling missed Chelsea’s last two games after suffering food poisoning
Mauricio Pochettino previously said the player had been “vomiting” due to a “virus”
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Sterling has been a regular starter and appeared in every round of the FA Cup under Pochettino, who considers his experience valuable in a team full of youngsters.
The England international has faced some challenging moments, most notably when Chelsea fans took out their frustrations on him, but Sterling is determined to help the club succeed despite their overall struggles amid an injury-impacted campaign.
Winning the FA Cup, which would guarantee a place in the Europa League for next season, would be a sure sign that Chelsea are heading in a positive direction under Pochettino.
The 52-year-old Argentine will finalize his starting eleven and the substitute bench on Friday. That will include deciding whether Palmer should start on the right wing or at number 10, the position from which he tormented Everton in Monday’s 6-0 win. Mykhailo Mudryk started on the left wing in that win with Sterling still sidelined.
The player is back in training to boost Pochettino’s chances ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against his former team Manchester City on Saturday.
Chelsea have already drawn twice with City this season and will hope their European efforts have impacted them ahead of this trip to Wembley.
Part of Pochettino’s preparations for this semi-final could involve him carrying out a session he has used before, organizing a 10v11 match in training.
The team with a full squad has the task of lining up in the shape of their opponents, in this case City, while the team with one less man has to show a willingness to be brave with the ball and press as a group when they don’t have it. . he.