Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that Trevoh Chalobah will continue to be considered for selection.
Over the past two seasons, the academy graduate has made 63 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, while he also featured regularly during the club's pre-season tour of the USA.
However, with Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill being added to the first-team squad, Chalobah has subsequently fallen down the pecking order.
During the closing days of the summer transfer window, the 24-year-old was heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge, particularly with Bayern Munich interested in his signature.
The Bundesliga champions ran out of time to complete what would have been a loan deal, before Chalobah rejected the opportunity to complete a permanent transfer to Nottingham Forest.
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Reports have indicated that the versatile defender would be frozen out for the remainder of the year, with the focus being on finding him a new club in January.
Instead, Pochettino has dismissed those suggestions at a press conference, stating strongly that Chalobah would remain as part of the senior ranks and be available for selection once he has recovered from a hamstring injury.
Speaking to reporters, Pochettino said: "Of course, yes. I am Chelsea. I am the coach. I am involved in the decision with Chalobah.
"He is in my plans. No-one is going to decide for me. The message for the players is that will be here until January, or after January, we are going to be involved in the decision.
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"Now we have finished the transfer window, I think I have the knowledge to be involved in the decision. Chalobah and other players in the squad are part of my plan. Player play or not play, that is going to be my choice."
When pushed on whether he has spoken to Chalobah, the Argentine added: "Nothing specific to talk about. He is a Chelsea player. He needs to recover as soon as possible and be available to be selected if I believe that he should be selected. He will have the same possibility."
Chalobah finds himself behind Thiago Silva, Disasi, Colwill and Benoit Badiashile in the battle for a first-team role in the middle of the backline.
Given Reece James's injury issues, Chalobah may effectively be viewed as another option at right-back behind the club captain and Malo Gusto.
Darren Plant
