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Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic forced off injured after horror shin-high lunge which sees Daniel James sent off for Leeds

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MATEO KOVACIC is a major doubt for the FA Cup Final after he was on the receiving end of a shocking challenge by Dan James.

The Chelsea star was clattered by Leeds’ former Manchester United man just 24 minutes into Wednesday’s 3-0 Premier League win.

Mateo Kovacic is a major doubt for the FA Cup Final after a shocking Dan James challengeCredit: Reuters
The Leeds winger was sent off after a lunging tackle on the Blues midfielderCredit: Rex

The Croatian international, 28, was floored as the Welsh forward launched an X-rated two-footed lunge at him.

As the Elland Road crowd roared their approval, those cheers soon turned to outrage as the referee instantly waved a red card.

James looked shocked, but the official was in no doubt that he had witnessed a wild and dangerous two-footed lunge as Kovacic rolled around in agony.

And once VAR confirmed it, the Leeds man trudged off the field as the Blues ace received treatment.

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Kovacic was able to walk to the touchline with the help of the club physio before making his way back onto the field.

And his return was met by a huge chorus of boos as he turned into public enemy No1.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek had been sent out for a warm-up throughout the injury delay, but no sooner had he stuck his tracksuit top back on after getting stripped was it back off.

Kovacic played on for just a few moments before he fell to the ground again inside the centre circle and signalled to come off with the England international taking his place.

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Kovacic was then met by a tirade of abuse as he reached the dug-out, which was greeted with a smile, before he limped back down the tunnel with an ice pack strapped to his left ankle.

It capped a disastrous start for Jesse Marsch’s side in their fight to beat the drop after Mason Mount had given Chelsea the lead in less than four minutes.

But it could also prove to be a nightmare for Kovacic with Saturday’s FA Cup Final fast-approaching.

The star is now in a race against time to make sure he recovers for the showpiece against Liverpool.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said afterwards: “I tell you not as a coach and not as an expert, but for me it is very unlikely.

“It was a swollen ankle and he is in a lot of pain.

“For me, I am not a doctor and we need to wait for the examinations, but it is very unlikely he can play. It is absolutely bad news for us on a perfect evening.”

Kovacic had an ice pack strapped to his ankle as he limped down the tunnelCredit: Getty

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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