The duo were both forced off during our Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory over Tottenham in midweek – Azpilicueta with cramp and Havertz with a suspected broken finger - and there were concerns that they may miss Saturday’s visit of the National League leaders to Stamford Bridge.

The boss quashed any lingering doubts of the duo’s availability by offering a fitness update on them at his pre-match press conference, which took place via video link at Cobham.

‘There is not so much injury news, which might be a good thing!’ Tuchel reported to journalists with a smile.

‘None of the long-term injured players will come back for this game but otherwise we are looking okay at the moment.

‘From the game the other night, Azpilicueta only had a bit of cramp so no injury and he is fine. Kai’s finger is pretty much okay to play football, so our doctors and physios will take care of him.’

The boss also updated on Andreas Christensen, with the Dane progressing well in training and hoping to be involved at the weekend, while also confirming that Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante remained sidelined following their recent positive tests for Covid-19.

‘Andreas Christensen was in training yesterday and hopefully there will be no reaction to his injury,’ added our German head coach.

‘We have another training session later and I will need to speak to the doctors and the medical team after that to see where we are with him. Hopefully the situation stays like this in this moment because that will give us some more options.

‘Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante will miss the game because of covid. They are okay in terms of symptoms but they are out for the game, of course. They join Chilly and Reece James who are both out as well.’