Enzo Maresca has revealed Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia will not be available for selection for the Blues' Boxing Day clash with Fulham.
The 20-year-old has not played since he was forced off against Tottenham on December 8. The former Southampton man missed Chelsea's last game against Everton at the weekend but it had been thought he may be available for the game vs Fulham.
[Speaking on Tuesday, however, Maresca ruled Lavia out of the game at Stamford Bridge](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/fixtures-results/enzo-maresca-press-conference-live-30652498). "Romeo is still recovering, he's much much better, but unfortunately not ready," Maresca said. "Same situation with long-term injuries."
Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile remain out, while Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended having failed a drugs test. on Mudryk, Maresca admitted: "In this moment it's good he can disconnect a little bit from the situation." He added: "We try to support him and now we're just waiting."
Chelsea know a win against Fulham will see them move within one point of leaders Liverpool, with the Reds playing in the late night kick-off on Boxing Day. On the title race, Maresca said: "No, I think for sure reality says we're second and you're not second after four, five games when table is not quite the real one.
"The table reflects the teams where they are. But Liverpool are doing fantastic since the first day, probably the squad they have already lived that kind of moment, winning trophies. I said last year when Liverpool faced Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, I saw the amount of finals Liverpool players played and the Chelsea ones and there was a huge difference. This shows the experience you need to be in that race."