Chelsea return to Champions League action on Wednesday as Graham Potter looks to overturn a poor recent run of form. The manager is still unbeaten in Europe as Blues boss but has seen domestic fall spiral since taking over in September.
There is good news for fans though with Ben Chilwell getting more game time against West Ham after his injury lay off and Reece James was once again deemed fit enough to start following his own period out. There are still abscentees elsewhere though.
Notably Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out of the matchday squad against the Hammers as his future continues to appear away from Stamford Bridge. The Gabon international was removed from the Champions League squad and won't be available for selection in Germany.
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Benoit Badiashile won't be either as he was one of the new signings to miss out on making the squad with three addition restriction. Kalidou Koulibaly is expected to return to the fold despite not being involved at the Olympic Stadium.
Here, football.london rounds up the latest updates on the injured players and when they'll be back.
Raheem Sterling
The winger returned to action last week after a period on the sidelines. However, he missed out at the London Stadium after unfortunately sustaining a knock in training this week.
What Potter said: "We've had a little setback with Raheem [Sterling] he had a little kick in training on the side of his knee, so we're assessing him and he is doubtful for tomorrow."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: N/A
Kalidou Koulibaly
The defender missed the trip to West Ham with illness but will be needed against the Bundesliga outfit on Wednesday due to the Badiashile squad decision.
He has been pictured in training since the weekend though which comes as a major boost for Potter.
Expected return date: Borussia Dortmund (A) February 15.
Mateo Kovacic
Mateo Kovacic was spotted taking part in Chelsea training ahead of their clash against the Hammers at the London Stadium. The Croatian midfielder has missed the last few games with a calf problem and also missed the draw at the London Stadium.
What Potter said: "Mateo [Kovacic] has trained with the team but it's too soon for him."
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: Borussia Dortmund (A) February 15.
N'Golo Kante
Kante has suffered an injury-ridden campaign thus far but the midfielder has finally returned to the pitches at Cobham, albeit training alone. The Frenchman is getting closer to full fitness but, until he joins the first-team group, a debut under Potter is left to be desired.
In a major boost, Kante has been doing individual work at Cobham since the end of last week, a source has told football.london. He is not yet training with his teammates, however, but that is understood to not be too far away from doing so.
football.london understands Chelsea have some hope of Kante returning to team training by the end of the week, or the start of the following week. However, there will be no rush to return him to action too soon.
What Potter said: "N’Golo did his first couple of days out training on his own but there is still a long, long way to go."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Late February/Early March
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic has issued a two-word hint on his Chelsea return date as he continues to nurse a knee injury. The 24-year-old came off second best in a collision with John Stones when the Blues locked horns with Manchester City in the Premier League earlier last month.
The winger has posted an image of himself from when he limped off the pitch against City. Pulisic simply captioned his post: "Back soon."
What Potter said: "No chance, no, he will be out past that [January transfer deadline] and there was never any consideration about him leaving anyway. He is a couple of months out.
"He is disappointed but he is optimistic about coming back quicker than two months. He is in that phase where he is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping his rehab goes well."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: March
Wesley Fofana
Having missed most of the season so far, former Leicester man Wesley Fofana's influence at the back has been somewhat felt in his absence. However, in a huge boost to the Blues and the defender himself, it appears as though a return is just around the corner, having been pictured in training again.
He was not named in the squad to face West Ham. However, the Frenchman has seemingly now joined full first-team training after judging by his latest Instagram story.
What Potter said: "Wesley [Fofana] has been part training partly with the team and he will be stepping it up next week."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Borussia Dortmund (A) February 15.
Denis Zakaria
The Chelsea loanee has impressed, forcing his way into the first-team after a slow start to his career at Stamford Bridge. However, in a huge blow to the side, he was forced off after 56 minutes in the defeat to Fulham last month.
Taking to Twitter, Zakaria posted an image of himself next to Reece James on training bikes, captioning the image: "Step by step. See you soon! *bicep muscle emoji*"
What Potter said: "Denis is going to be probably four weeks. It’s the top of his quad and that is a blow for us. Hopefully, he can return sooner."
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: Borussia Dortmund (A) February 15.
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training, meaning he will be absent from the squad in the coming games. The Senegalese shot-stopper was not in the squad to face West Ham.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Chelsea are set to be without Broja for sometime 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 is a major blow with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of form.
Broja is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needs surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london understands. He could be out of action for a minimum of five months and a maximum of 12.
What Potter said: ''It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.''
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Summer/Autumn 2023
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