Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has outlined the importance of Ben Chilwell to his team.

The Argentine head coach was asked about the left-back's recent return from injury.

Chilwell played his part as Chelsea secured a Carabao Cup final spot in midweek against Middlesbrough.

On Chilwell, Pochettino told reporters: "I think it's an experienced player. Of course, I think the challenge was from the beginning of the season, the pre-season, to build his fitness and of course, to improve not only his offensive phase but his defensive phase. That was the challenge for us; to help him be a more complete player.

"Yes, of course, he's an important player. If he's fit, he can cope with 90 minutes. Tuesday he could not cope because after 10 or 15 minutes of the second-half he asked if he could go out [be taken off] because of course he needs to build his fitness.

"Now we have doubt to start with him tomorrow because we are assessing him to see if he can cope with another game after three days. That is a massive decision because we want to build his confidence and fitness and be fit enough to play the rest of the season. That is why we are working really hard with medical staff and the performance area to make a decision. He cannot start tomorrow, he is going to be on the bench and to see if he can help the team in the second-half."