Manager Mauricio Pochettino will not be able to call upon the services of Lesley Ugochukwu for Chelsea's blockbuster Premier League clash against Manchester United on Wednesday night.

The Argentine football tactician revealed during Tuesday's pre-match press conference that the France U21 international of Nigerian descent felt something last week.

Pochettino chose not to go into details about the injury suffered by the holding midfielder, but stated that it was a minor injury. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report with certainty that the former Rennes starlet has been diagnosed with a muscle tear injury. 

If the prognosis from Chelsea's medical team is anything to go by, Ugochukwu will return to full training very soon, provided he does not suffer a relapse during his rehabilitation. 

It is understood that Lesley's dad has already landed in Manchester and will be among the spectators at Old Trafford tonight but will not be able to feast his eyes on the player who is sidelined. 

With the exception of the visit of Brighton & Hove, Ugochukwu had been picked in every matchday squad announced by Pochettino this season.

The 19-year-old has received sixteen call-ups in all competitions and played in twelve games including five as a starter.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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