The Chelsea head coach's options have been limited by a lengthy injury list all season, but there are signs those concerns have been easing recently, as seen with a number of players being passed fit for a place among the substitutes in our last match, the 5-0 victory over West Ham United.

Ahead of our next game, a Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest for Saturday's late kick-off, Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful for a further boost from returning members of his squad.

‘We need to assess today some players that maybe can be involved tomorrow in the game,' he said. 'I am happy because we are going to be in the last week of the season and nearly all the players will be fit to be available. It is a good end and to see the future more optimistic.’

Pochettino also confirmed that one of those players is our captain Reece James. The England international is yet to feature for the Blues in 2024, but our head coach believes his return could be a big boost for the team.

‘We need to see today but maybe he can be available to be in the squad,' Pochettino added. ‘The most important thing is that he is going to be there with us.

'Always to have your captain is a massive boost for any team. We have an amazing relationship and of course he is an amazing player.

'I know it is not easy always when you come from a long-term injury. The most important thing is that he can be available and can be part of the squad, and then if he can play five, 10, 15, 20 or 30 minutes it will be amazing.

'Of course it’s unlucky that it’s only in the last week and we have three games left, but it’s important to finish with good feelings and for him it is going to be amazing to be involved.'

Pochettino also admits it has been frustrating at times not to be able to work with a full squad at Cobham, but is pleased things seem to be improving on the injury front and hopes we can find a solution to those problems for next season.

‘We had 14 out against Tottenham. It was so disappointing because always when you arrive to a new club, a new project, you want to work with the whole squad, have them all fit and create a very good dynamic to compete with each other and increase the level and improve every single day.

'That wasn’t possible this season but we need to assess why, we need to do better, we need to improve in all the areas. In football, you cannot stop thinking in different ways.

'It’s a good challenge for next season, to start the season and increase the percentage of the availability of the players.’

The growing numbers available in training, along with our back-to-back derby victories over Tottenham and West Ham, mean we go into this last week of the season in good spirits at Cobham.

Pochettino hopes that will help us achieve our goal of European qualification, starting with a victory at Forest tomorrow afternoon.

‘The atmosphere is good. Always during the whole season it’s been a good atmosphere here at the training ground. I cannot say that it’s been in another way, I need to be fair.

'It’s true that some good results in the last few weeks increased our belief and, of course, when you win games and the performance is good also, always it’s different. With the circumstances of having 12 or 14 players out, always that gives more value to the performance and to the victories.

'I think the team is ready to face the last three games and I think it’s important for us. An important objective is to try to be in Europe and of course we are focusing on the next game. That is tomorrow against Nottingham Forest, the first step in the last week.’