Chelsea will be glad to see the back of this season. There are just three games left of the 2022/23 campaign, but Frank Lampard now faces a very difficult run of fixtures to end a poor season.
A trip to the Etihad Stadium is up next as the Blues take on Premier League title favourites Manchester City. Chelsea stay in Manchester as they take on Erik ten Hag's side just days later before returning to Stamford Bridge to face Newcastle in the final game of the season.
Mateo Kovacic joined the long list of players with injuries at Chelsea after he was taken off with a problem during the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest. N'Golo Kante is a doubt for the clash against City after suffering a groin injury on Friday last week and is facing a race against time to be declared fit in time for the end of the season.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino made three Premier League decisions before Chelsea agreement
So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest updates from the treatment room ahead of Chelsea's clash against Manchester City.
N'Golo Kante
Chelsea were dealt yet another blow as their talismanic Frenchman was once more ruled out through injury. He is yet to sign a new deal and will now be a doubt for the rest of the season.
Kante has struggled with fitness all year long having missed the entirety of games between September and March with a long-term hamstring strain. This is now his third seperate setback.
What Lampard said: "He felt something in his groin. So that's probably a couple of weeks and we know what that means pretty much. We just have to keep going."
Expected return date: Unknown
Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian was taken off in the first half of the 2-2 draw with Forest after coming into the game as a risk according to Lampard. He was replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and may now have played his last game for the club.
What Lampard said: "I don't know. I know he had a bit of an issue going into the game. It was clear yesterday in training. I spoke to him before to see how it went. I haven't followed it up since the game to be honest. We hope he's OK."
Expected return date: Unknown
Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell was taken off in the 74th minute against Bournemouth after suffering a hamstring injury. The England international suffered a similar issue earlier this season which saw him sidelined for 10 games.
He is now a doubt to feature again this season after Lampard offered a worrying update.
What Lampard said: "Not fit. No we are hoping that Chilly may be fit possibly for the last game or two of the season but that is a tight call. It's a similar story with Mason Mount, maybe a little bit similar with Reece [James] but I feel that Reece might be slightly behind that. So we are obviously chasing it about now."
Expected return date: Manchester United (A) - May 25
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella was ruled out of the game against Brentford late on after picking up a knock in training. He too looks set to miss a large majority of the rest of the season.
What Lampard said: "No he won't be fit for this game and again probably questionable in line with the others for that final week of the season."
Injury: Quadricep
Expected return date: Manchester United (A) - May 25
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly started in a back three for Chelsea in the first-leg against Real Madrid but, after a lung-busting run to track back and deny Rodrygo a chance, the defender pulled up clutching his hamstring.
What Lampard said: "He has trained with us the last couple of days. A little bit managed, not full training so again we are looking at the next week where we have three games in six days or whatever so all of those, hopefully in a bit of contentions but of course will they be match fit is the other question."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Manchester City (A) - May 21
Reece James
In the first-half of the Blues' clash against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge, James was seen feeling his hamstring. The defender appeared to be struggling for a moment or so but he soldiered on and completed 90 minutes, although the latest update from Lampard was not too positive.
What Lampard said: "No we are hoping that Chilly may be fit possibly for the last game or two of the season but that is a tight call. It's a similar story with Mason Mount, maybe a little bit similar with Reece [James] but I feel that Reece might be slightly behind that. So we are obviously chasing it about now."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Summer
Mason Mount
Mount has suffered with plenty of injuries this season, with an ongoing pelvic issue plaguing him this season. Another setback means that the club's two-time player of the season is set to miss out on another appearance while speculation grows over his future.
Mount posted an update on Instagram, saying: "Had a minor procedure yesterday to sort out a discomfort I had for a while. Everything went well and I’m feeling good.
"Time to rest but can’t wait to get back to training in the coming weeks! Thanks for all your messages of support and a massive thank you to the medical team, doctors and nurses for looking after me."
What Lampard said: "Mason has been carrying this pelvic injury for quite a while, it pre-dates myself. We've been trying and the medical staff have been trying but we've got to the stage now where he'll have a minor surgery. Probably a four-week recovery and we know where that gets us to."
Injury: Pelvis
Expected return date: Summer
Armando Broja
Chelsea have been without Broja for a while now after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury was a major blow.
Broja has been expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needed surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london reported at the time. However, he's recently been pictured back in individual training at Cobham, albeit mostly gym work.
Additionally, the Evening Standard report that the young striker is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and is targeting a return to action for Chelsea during their pre-season tour of America.
What Lampard said: N/A
Injury: Knee
READ NEXT:
Mauricio Pochettino made three Premier League decisions before Chelsea agreement
Jim Ratcliffe eyes Graham Potter appointment as Manchester United takeover edges closer
Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez send Mauricio Pochettino message as transfer stance revealed
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly told clear reason to give Mauricio Pochettino his very own Harry Kane
Chelsea can kickstart Mauricio Pochettino reign with major move for secret weapon
