Round-up: Hazard in line for start and Onuoha could miss four months
Eden Hazard is in line for a return to the Chelsea starting line-up for Wednesday’s EFL Cup match against Nottingham Forest.
Hazard, who had ankle surgery during the summer, has not started a match for the Blues so far this season.
The Belgian’s latest appearance as a substitute came in Sunday’s goalless draw with Arsenal and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte looks likely to include him from the start against Forest.
“I think in the last 20 minutes Hazard played very well,” said Conte.
“Now on Wednesday he has the possibility to start against Forest and then to complete his recovery. We hope everything is okay after this (Arsenal) game.”
Chelsea youngsters’ comeback
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a late equaliser as Chelsea’s Under-23 side came back from two down to draw 2-2 with Manchester United.
The young Blues trailed with 18 minutes of the Premier League 2 match at Aldershot remaining.
Hudson-Odoi hit the post early on and Chelsea were on top before Tosin Kehinde scored against the run of play eight minutes before half-time.
James Wilson headed United further ahead early in the second half but the home side battled on.
They had a strong shout for a penalty waved away when Hudson-Odoi seemed to be fouled in the box.
And they were eventually rewarded for their persistence when Hudson-Odoi back-heeled the ball towards Issac Christie-Davies, who fired home.
The outstanding Hudson-Odoi netted with a cool finish eight minutes from time to earn a draw.
Wilkins calls for Costa return
Ray Wilkins believes Chelsea should recall Diego Costa and play him as well as Alvaro Morata.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Wilkins insisted the out-of-favour Costa should be in London with the rest of the Blues squad.
Wilkins said: “When I look at Diego Costa and I look at Morata I see a better footballer in Morata – better control, better movement and probably quicker.
“But when I look at the beast, in Costa, and what he gives you – he upsets people – I’d sooner have Costa than Morata.
“Why we haven’t got both, I don’t know. Costa still has, is it one or two years left on his contract? He should be at Stamford Bridge.
“We should be using both of them and then we would have a proper strikeforce.
“I cannot for the life of me see why Costa is still on the beach in Brazil playing five-a-side with his mates.
“He’s still a Chelsea footballer and he should be back here in London.”
Onuoha out for up to four months
QPR captain Nedum Onuoha might be out for four months with a torn hamstring.
Boss Ian Holloway said after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Middlesbrough that Onuoha, 30, was facing three months on the sidelines.
But Rangers believe the defender could be out for slightly longer, perhaps not returning until the new year, depending on how quickly the injury heals.
Onuoha, who requires an operation, suffered the injury during last week’s draw at home to Millwall.
It leaves the R’s with serious problems in defence because James Perch is out with a long-term knee injury and Grant Hall and Steven Caulker are also unavailable.
However, Joel Lynch is seemingly close to a return following a hamstring problem.
QPR youngsters lose
QPR’s development side lost 4-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday afternoon.
It ended the Under-23s’ 100% record this season – they had won all five of their previous matches, scoring 17 goals in the process.
The visitors trailed 2-0 at the interval and Dan Darbyshire pulled a goal back early in the second half before Wednesday scored two more.
Mepham’s new deal
Brentford boss Dean Smith says Wales Under-21 international defender Chris Mepham can challenge for a regular first-team spot after signing a new five-year contract at Griffin Park.
“Chris has shown a real progression during the last 12 months and is developing into a player that we believe can get to a high standard,” Smith said.
“With a fierce determination and excellent attitude to go with his footballing ability, we are pleased that he has chosen to continue his development with Brentford. I fully expect him to be pushing the senior centre-backs within the first team.”
No Edwards for Spurs tie
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Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says Marcus Edwards will not be involved in the EFL Cup game against Barnsley.
The highly-rated Edwards, 18, made his senior debut in the competition a year ago and has not made a first-team appearance since.
Youngster Tashan Oakley-Boothe could feature at Wembley after being named in the squad for Tuesday’s tie.
But Pochettino says Edwards is building his fitness and confidence following an ankle injury and is not in contention to play against the Tykes.
“Last season was difficult for him. He was injured and then he had an operation,” Pochettino said.
“He dropped a little bit, but that is normal after nearly one season that he didn’t play. Now he is building his confidence again.
“I think we need to wait a little bit for him to build his physical condition and his confidence more. He’s better playing in the Under-23s.
Holden confident he can progress
Middlesex teenager Max Holden says the club’s track record of promoting youth convinced him he would be handed a chance in the first team.
The 19-year-old batsman made his senior debut for the club in their severely rain-affected County Championship Division One draw against Hampshire at Uxbridge.
“I’ve played with those guys in the second XI, so of course it was pleasing to see them progress and it gave me confidence that if I kept working hard, the opportunity would come,” said Holden.
“It shows the path is definitely there for guys who work hard and score runs in the seconds. [Managing director of cricket] Gus Fraser has said that previously – if young guys perform, they will be backed.
