Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday with the visit of Leeds United to Stamford Bridge. A first win in six games will be the aim for Graham Potter, who remains under severe pressure.
The Blues' league game with Javi Garcia's side is the first of two crucial fixtures coming up in the next week. On Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund visit London for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Normally, a fixture against one of the league's lowest-ranked side's would not prove too much hassle for Chelsea. But as seen in the recent defeat to Southampton, the Blues are struggling for momentum in turning their season around and this weekend’s clash has further emphasis on it.
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Amid all the speculation surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge, Potter has been hit with his biggest injury problem since arriving in September. Earlier in the week, the club confirmed that veteran defender Thiago Silva had damaged his knee ligaments.
The Brazilian will now miss a defining few weeks for Chelsea, with Potter confirmed the 38-year-old will miss "around" six weeks. However, in his pre-Leeds press conference, the Chelsea boss was the bearer of further bad news as the injury list continues to grow at Cobham.
Potter confirmed that Mason Mount would miss the game against Leeds with an abdomen issue while wing-back Reece James remains a doubt after feeling some tightness in his hamstring. The Englishman also told how N'Golo Kante had took part in his first full training session and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was making good progress.
Potter said: “Thiago will be around that time, not sure exactly. [Edouard] Mendy is making progress. N’Golo [Kante] had his first full session today, but still needs time. Mason {Mount] has had a problem with a lower abdomen area and tomorrow is too soon for him.
"Reece [James] has a tightness in his hamstring; we are assessing him but he’s doubtful for tomorrow as well. Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] has made progress but is not through protocols after a head injury like that.”
USMNT star Christian Pulisic seems to be edging closer to a return to action after missing nearly two months with a knee injury. The winger has posted a number of images of him in training and there was no mention of him by Potter, which means he could be involved tomorrow.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is also expected to return to the squad after missing last week's defeat to Tottenham due to illness. Potter confirmed after the Spurs game that the Croatian was unwell but he has since returned to training this week.
Chelsea's only remaining long-term absentee is Armando Broja. The striker has been sidelined since suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee in a mid-season friendly defeat to Aston Villa.
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