Christopher Nkunku suffers fresh setback as Chelsea breeze past Preston in FA Cup

Christopher Nkunku is set to undergo new tests after injuring his hip in training on Friday. The Chelsea winger was a notable absentee when they hosted Preston North End in the FA Cup third round on January 6.

Nkunku only recently recovered from a knee injury that he picked up in preseason. The injury delayed his debut in West London and he has been restricted to only 152 minutes since his return.

Nkunku's time at Chelsea

He was introduced in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals against Newcastle United on December 19, where Chelsea squeezed through after post-match penalties. He then scored his first goal in blue colours off the bench way to Molineux but could help Mauricio Pochettino's side from falling to a 2-1 defeat.

The Frenchman then made his first start against Crystal Palace, where he lasted for 70 minutes before coming off the bench again in their dramatic 3-2 win against Luton.

Pochettino is on record calling for patience with the RB Leipzig man after a section of fans demanded to see more of him.

"We need to be careful with him, like I told you. Six months where he didn't compete and when he starts to compete, it's not the same," as quoted by Football London.

Nkunku's new injury

The Argentine tactician's concerns seemed to have been actualised after he confirmed that the 26-year-old had picked up a hip injury, as reported by Chelsea Dodgers.

The club will now be sweating on the test results of Nkunku, given that they are a man short upfront after Nicolas Jackson linked up with the Senegalese national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Blues travel to North Yorkshire on Tuesday to face Middlesbrough in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals.