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Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has revealed he is not 100% fit despite joining up with the Ecuador squad.

The midfielder captains his country, and speaking to local reporters, he said that he needed to make this international camp even though he is carrying an issue:

“I’m a little… [sighs] fine, a bit tired, having a few problems, but well, I’m here.”

“Honestly, my national team is what matters most to me, being here with my people, with my Ecuador. I’m making a huge effort to be here, and I’m very happy about that.”

Caicedo was a doubt to face Sunderland

The Ecuadorian missed training last week, and his participation was questionable going into last Sunday’s fixture at the Stadium of Light. He ultimately started the match and played the full 90 minutes.

However, it appears Caicedo is still feeling the effects of whatever injury he has been carrying.

Based on when the interview took place – he was talking to journalists a day after his arrival – the Chelsea star may have been jet-lagged too, which would explain his remarks about fatigue, in particular.

Latest Chelsea injury news

Caicedo is not the only fitness concern that the Blues have. Josh Acheampong did miss the Sunderland match with what Xabi Alonso described as a “minor” knock, but he has now been forced to pull out of the England Under-21 squad, which suggests the injury is more serious than initially suggested.

Jorrel Hato (unspecified), Joao Pedro (thigh), Maxence Lacroix (hamstring), Jamie Gittens (ankle) and Reece James (knee) are also on the treatment table, with there being no guarantee that any of them will be fit for the first match after the international break against Leeds United.