Armando Broja ‘is forced to return to Chelsea’ after being carried off pitch with ankle injury while playing for Albania

ARMANDO BROJA has become the latest injury headache for Chelsea manager Graham Potter after picking up a knock while on international duty.

The Albania striker suffered an ankle injury in the 50th minute of The Eagles’ 3-1 defeat to Italy on Wednesday night.

AFPChelsea hitman Armando Broja was on international duty with Albania this week[/caption]

REUTERSBut the 21-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the 50th minute and had to be stretched off[/caption]

GettyThe Albanian in now one of EIGHT first-team Blues players who are crocked[/caption]

Broja took a heavy knock to his ankle and ended up being carried off the pitch to receive further treatment.

Chelsea are reportedly hopeful the injury “isn’t serious” but will make their own assessments when the forward returns to the UK.

Broja is one EIGHT first-team Blues players currently in the treatment room.

Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Carney Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana and Kepa Arrizabalaga are all crocked.

Frenchman Kante, however, is in contention to return to the squad after the World Cup-inforced international break.

Broja’s unfortunate injury came days after Albania chief Edoardo Reja called on Blues boss Potter to play the forward more.

He told TMW: “He has great potential.

“He is a strong player, tall, he has technique and great speed, when he starts running you don’t catch him.

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“He must improve at second balls because when the action is over, he doesn’t help much.

“From this point of view, this year he is doing a little better.

“But certainly the fact he plays 20 or at most 30 minutes does not help him.

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“Especially Napoli wanted him. [Sporting director, Cristiano] Giuntoli was interested, he also spoke to me.

“But he wanted to stay at Chelsea, who then also renewed his contract.”