Chelsea have been handed a boost on the injury front with the news that club skipper Cesar Azpilicueta will return to the squad for the second leg of their round of 16 tie with French champions Lille in the Champions League. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel gave an injury update on his team in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Lille game on Wednesday night as he confirmed that Spanish fullback Azpilicueta has recovered from the injury that force him to miss the Newcastle United game in the Premier League on Sunday.

Without Azpilicueta, Chelsea made it five Premier League wins in a row via the 1-0 victory over the Magpies. The only goal of the match was scored by in-form German international Kai Havertz with a minute left on the clock. Havertz has now scored four goals in his last three games on the Premier League scene.

Chelsea boss Tuchel also gave an injury update on both Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi as he said that both England players are doubtful for the Lille game.

European champions Chelsea are overwhelming favourites to qualify for the quarterfinals ahead of Lille after dominant performance in the first leg. The aforementioned Havertz missed a very good opportunity to put Chelsea ahead very early in the first leg before he finally achieved this in the eighth minute. The goal from Havertz gave the West Londoners a slim lead over Lille at the break. American international Christian Pulisic would then ensure that Chelsea took a two-goal lead to France for the second leg after adding a second Chelsea goal on 63 minutes. Lille now have to score three goals without reply to book their place in the quarterfinals or score two goals and take the last 16 tie to extra time or penalties.