Chelsea are back in Premier League action shortly after Christmas as domestic action returns to Stamford Bridge. The Blues have been able to watch on this week as the Carabao Cup got underway once again following the World Cup break, coming just two days after the final.
Chelsea played no part in that after being knocked out by Manchester City in November. They have been playing though, preparing for the match against Bournemouth on December 27 with friendlies against Aston Villa and Brentford.
Graham Potter's side lost against Villa 1-0 in Abu Dhabi with a youthful side due to first team players still being in Qatar or on their way back from the tournament. They fared better against the Bees though, winning 5-1 in a behind-closed-doors affair with Kai Havertz scoring a hattrick.
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Both matches came with a heavy price though as injuries for first team players were picked up, causing Potter even more headaches ahead of the match.
Here's the latest injury news from the Chelsea camp:
Wesley Fofana
The latest Chelsea player to suffer a knock, Fofana went off holding his knee against Brentford earlier this week after spending time out since October with a knee injury.
What Potter said: " Wesley [Fofana] just had a little setback which can sometimes happen at the very last stage of the rehab. It will be a couple of weeks so he won't be available for the game."
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Broja was another unlucky casualty from the friendly matches, having his season ended with an ACL injury in the match against Aston Villa. The 21-year-old has since had surgery on his knee.
What Potter said: "Armando [Broja] is a big loss in terms of the time he is out."
Expected return date: Unknown (next season)
Reece James
In a big boost, James is finally fit to return after missing the action from October with a knee injury of his own. James had been hopeful of travelling to the World Cup with England but was omitted.
What Potter said: "Reece [James] is back in and completed 65 minutes in the week."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H), December 27.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek was held up during the warm-weather training camp and had to undergo treatment for a knock, football.london understands, and the Englishman won't be available against Bournemouth either, though the extent and type of injury is unknown.
What Potter said: "Still without Ruben [Loftus-Cheek]."
Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A), January 1.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea's new No1 appears to be back in business having missed the final set of matches after being 3-0 down to Brighton at half time with a foot injury.
What Potter said: (Before Dinamo Zagreb) "Kepa won't be available for the game. He has a slight issue with his plantar fascia."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H), December 27.
N'Golo Kante
Kante remains sidelined following his hamstring injury in the second match of the season, he hasn't played a minute since. He has had surgery but is still set for a longer period out of action.
What Potter said: "He's a while. He'll be end of February, start of March."
Expected return date: Unknown
Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian won't be available after not yet returning from Qatar following his side's run to the semi-finals, then playing in the third place play-off match. He had struggled with fitness and fatigue before the break but played more minutes at the World Cup than he had managed for Chelsea.
What Potter said: "We're still waiting on Hakim [Ziyech] and Mateo [Kovacic]. Obviously they went the distance to the third and fourth place and played the games as well. Big demand for those two, important to give them time, they won't be available for the game as a consequence. Everybody else has been back, we've got a few days training with all of them, so, it is what it is. We have to deal with it and it's been good.
Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A), January 1.
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell is another long-term absentee after also missing out on the England squad due to a late injury picked up in the Champions League. His hamstring knock is likely to keep him out for at least four more weeks, though it could be much longer.
What Potter said: N/A
Expected return date: Unknown
Edouard Mendy
Mendy returned from Qatar without a known injury but has only been training for a few days according to the manager. He did miss international duty in October due to a knee knock but has played for Chelsea since, deputising for Kepa before the break.
What Potter said: "[Edouard] Mendy has had a couple of days training with us."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H), December 27.
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