Chelsea face midfield dilemma as they sweat over Romeo Lavia fitness

Chelsea face a midfield conundrum for their visit to Leicester on Saturday after Romeo Lavia missed both of Belgium's games due to a hamstring complaint, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez each not expected back to Cobham until 48 hours before that trip.

Caicedo and Fernandez will represent Ecuador and Argentina respectively late on Tuesday, while their World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Peru continue early on Wednesday morning, UK time.

The South American duo will then travel back to London before possibly returning to training with their Chelsea teammates for the first time on Thursday.

Chelsea insiders say player welfare is their number one priority and they remain in constant contact with their representatives and respective federations during international breaks.

For those returning, time differences are taken into account to determine the most appropriate reintegration program.

It remains to be seen if and when Lavia will train fully this week.

He was forced off in Chelsea's 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, but unlike others he still left with Belgium.

However, he was unable to face Italy or Israel in any of their Nations League clashes. While he was away, Lavia was quoted by the Belgian media as saying he had had a 'little blow' with Chelsea in the hope he could be made fit to face Leicester.