Mykhailo Mudryk make return to Chelsea side after missing four games out of starting XI

Graham Potter thinks Mudryk will similarly benefit from his spell on the sideline.

Graham Potter is likely to welcome Mykhailo Mudryk to the starting XI after spending four games out of the line-up.

The 22-year-old signing has struggled to make an impact since his transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk and has not started since the first-leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last month.

Shakhtar director of football Dario Srna said the winger was “not in a good mood” after being left out of the 1-0 home defeat to Southampton on February 18.

Potter said: “Every player wants to play and it’s important that players play in order to improve. That’s a fact.

“But at the same time it’s not a straight road. It’s not just play and then everything happens in a linear way. Sometimes you have to take a step away, sometimes you just need a bit of training time, just need a breather. Lots of factors.

“Hopefully (Mudryk) can benefit from the time he’s had. It’s not easy for him to arrive in the middle of pre-season for him. To come to a new country, new club, new league, and hit his maximum level. I know people look at the fee, but it doesn’t change his situation that he’s in.

“We’re positive about him, we’re positive about the future for him. But we need to help him settle and help him understand what he needs to do to help us.”

Former Brighton boss thinks Mudryk will similarly benefit from his spell on the sideline. Chelsea will be without Raheem Sterling and Reece James for his side’s Premier League trip to Leicester on Saturday.

Sterling, who scored the goal that levelled the two-legged tie on Tuesday, is out with a tight hamstring while James has been ill and did not train on Friday.

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