Graham Potter has a number of injuries to contend with in Chelsea's clash with Newcastle. The Magpies are set to welcome the Blues to St James' Park on Saturday afternoon, November 12, for a last dance before the World Cup.
Eddie Howe's side head into the fixture nine Premier League games unbeaten. Newcastle are enjoying a great vein of form and look poised to challenge for the top spots come the end of the season.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are winless in their last four Premier League clashes and they're in desperate need of a win before the squad disperses later this month. But, it could be an uphill battle with a number of players a doubt for the tie.
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With that being said, football.london has taken a look at all the injuries Potter must consider ahead of Chelsea's clash with Newcastle this afternoon.
Jorginho
Jorginho missed Wednesday night's League Cup game against Manchester City with a foot problem and was perceived to be a doubt ahead of this weekend. This will be of relief to Potter, whose injury list has continued to grow since taking charge in September.
What Potter said: "Jorgi trained today. Providing there's no reaction, he should be in the squad."
Expected return date: Newcastle (A) - November 12.
Reece James
Gareth Southgate decided to omit Reece James from the England squad for the World Cup later this month. The 22-year-old defender was a huge doubt for the international tournament after suffering a knee injury in Chelsea's 2-0 win over AC Milan last month.
What Southgate said: "We had to make a very difficult call with Reece, who is a fantastic player. He was not going to be available – if everything went perfectly – until the latter stages of the tournament, and there were too many unknowns for us on that road to recovery."
What Potter said: "No miracles. Progressing... progressing well. Reece was outside today having a jog, but nothing to report in terms of anything else."
Expected return date: Bournemouth (H) December 26.
N'Golo Kante
Chelsea will be without Kante until the New Year it seems after having surgery on his hamstring. The 31-year-old has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons and, with his contract at Stamford Bridge set to expire in the summer, he faces an increasingly uncertain future at the club.
What Potter said: "He's got a long road ahead of him, so we've got to make sure we get the right plan and recovery for him."
Expected return date: 2023.
Ben Chilwell
Chelsea have confirmed that Ben Chilwell is out of the World Cup after he limped off in the final moments of Chelsea's Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb. He pulled up clutching his hamstring in the fourth minute of added time before being helped off the field by the Blues medical staff after the full-time whistle.
The 25-year-old had just recently recovered from a long-term knee injury. He sent an emotional message after the diagnosis was made public.
What Potter said: "It's a blow to see him pull up like that is not a great sight. So fingers crossed that when we get it scanned, it isn't as bad as it can be not severe. We have our fingers crossed at the moment, but obviously, we're disappointed."
Expected return date: Unknown.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa was subbed off at half-time against Brighton due to a foot injury. As a result, he will now be out until at least after the World Cup.
What Potter said: "He's got to take it day by day. It's a tear in his plantar fascia, so depending on how he responds to pain and how comfortable he feels. At the moment, not so positive."
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