CARABAO CUP

Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku out of Carabao Cup semi-final

The £52 million forward has suffered a hip injury in training and will miss Tuesday night’s game away to Middlesbrough
Tom Allnutt
The Times
Nkunku joined Chelsea in the summer but injuries have limited him to four appearances this season
Nkunku joined Chelsea in the summer but injuries have limited him to four appearances this season
ANDREW KEARNS/GETTY IMAGES
Tom Allnutt
The Times

Christopher Nkunku has suffered another setback in his attempt to kick-start his Chelsea career after Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that the striker will miss the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough.

Nkunku joined Chelsea for £52 million from RB Leipzig last summer but only made his competitive debut last month, having sustained a knee injury in pre-season.

However, having made only four appearances, the 26-year-old hurt his hip in training before Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Preston North End on Saturday, meaning he will sit out the game against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night and could also miss Saturday’s Premier League match at home to Fulham.

Nkunku has scored once for his new club, in the 2-1 defeat away to Wolves on Christmas Eve
Nkunku has scored once for his new club, in the 2-1 defeat away to Wolves on Christmas Eve
TIM KEETON/EPA

“It’s not related to his old injury, it’s a different problem — a small issue in