Kovacic in a bid to be fit for Wembley showpiece
MATEO Kovacic will try to force himself into enough fitness to play in this teatime’s FA Cup final.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed Kovacic will attempt to play through the pain in the Wembley clash with Liverpool.
The Croatia midfielder hobbled out of Wednesday’s 3-0 Premier League win at Leeds after copping a nasty tackle from Dan James.
Leeds forward James was sent off for the studs-up challenge which left Kovacic with the recurrence of a previous ankle problem.
Tuchel admitted straight after the Elland Road clash the schemer would need almost a “miracle” to be fit in time for the final.
Tuchel said yesterday: “Mateo wants to try it and the medical department gave the green light to try it.
“The ligament is stretched from the last incident so there’s no new injury but heavy pain and it’s heavily swollen.
“We’re hoping maybe time is enough that he makes it but we will try it in training and then we will know about it some time after that.
“In the game at Leeds he was very, very good and in general he has stepped up again.
“The quality and personality, his dribbling, carrying the ball, driving with the ball is excellent, a top team player.
“He knows what it takes to also sometimes put the ego aside and serve the team, he’s a fantastic guy and player.
“We missed him too much this season, we missed him over many weeks. We missed Jorginho and N’Golo Kante too and that cost us a little bit.
“He’s so ambitious and he’s been excellent in the games against Liverpool this season. So we will see.”
Chelsea will also try to push N’Golo Kante into sufficient fitness to feature against Liverpool, France’s World Cup-winning midfielder having also struggled with injury niggles in recent weeks.
Tuchel revealed Chelsea’s staff and players have put their hands into their own pockets to buy tickets so many people connected to the club can attend the Wembley showdown.