Tuchel ready to trust Saul Niguez amid Chelsea midfield crisis

The defending champions will be without the services of

,

,

, and

for their Champions League clash with

on Tuesday.

Kovacic made his long-awaited return from injury after six weeks on Monday but returned positive for COVID-19 and therefore he will miss his side’s game in Russia.

"We had a bit of an acute overload due to injuries and the schedule,"

Tuchel said at Tuesday's pre-match news conference

.

"Due to injuries in some positions, like central midfield, we have struggled. The game tomorrow is not the problem, it's more the game that comes up on Saturday [against Leeds].

"We had an early game against West Ham and then a late game against Zenit. We had a day off and good training session today.

"The problem is the next match because we will lose time to sleep and arrive back very early on Thursday. Leeds are an intense team who have prepared to face this match."

Asked about Kovacic's positive coronavirus test, Tuchel said

: "I was aware this can happen and I'm not happy, but this is the reality right now. We have to be ready to adapt.

"There is a huge chance that we make changes against Zenit."

The absence of Kovacic, Kante and Jorginho may offer

the chance to play in his favorite central midfield role against Zenit.

"He's one of the guys that needs minutes. He is always in our thoughts and we think about every training session and form,"

he said

.

"I think he struggled a bit with the intensity and he's a bit unlucky he played against Aston Villa, Southampton and Watford, all three were high-intensity games, above average.

"We try to encourage him because he grows into Chelsea more and more. We won't stop encouraging him and trying to bring out the best. It's possible he will improve tomorrow."

The previous encounter between Zenit and Chelsea took place in September, with the Blues winning 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to

's second-half goal.

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