Chelsea will look to carry their Champions League momentum into the Premier League this weekend when they travel to struggling Leicester City on Saturday.
The Blues put in one of their best performances under Graham Potter on Tuesday to defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate. Goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz were enough to send Chelsea through to the quarter-finals and keep their season alive.
While they are not mathematically out of securing a top four finish, the task is certainly a difficult one with Chelsea 11 points off Tottenham with 13 games remaining. However, victory at the King Power Stadium will certainly do no harm in their quest for the top four.
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Potter has benefitted from the returns from injury of defensive trio Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana. All three were instrumental in the 2-0 win over Dortmund, with Chilwell and James' record when playing together in Europe now at 12 wins in 17 games.
However, Chelsea will be without James against Leicester due to illness, Potter confirmed on Friday. "Reece has been ill, so hasn't trained today. He won't make the game tomorrow," Potter said. The right-back's absence is a huge blow for the Blues but does present an opportunity for Trevoh Chalobah or Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also ruled out of the clash with Brendan Rodgers' side, with Sterling a doubt. "Raheem had a little feeling in his hamstring, so looking doubtful for tomorrow," Potter explained. "Aubameyang has a slight problem with his back so he's looking like he'll miss the game," he added.
Meanwhile, N'Golo Kante will also miss out on facing his former side. The Frenchman has not played since August's 2-2 draw with Tottenham but has returned to training with his teammates. However, after insisting mid-week was too soon, Potter confirmed he would not be available for Saturday, saying: "No, no he won't [be available]. He still needs more time to build-up. We are looking to build him up to Everton."
Elsewhere, Mason Mount continues to be a doubt after picking up a knock before the win over Leeds. It was confirmed by the Chelsea boss that the Cobham graduate had a problem with his lower abdomen area and will need more time.
"He probably needs a little bit more time," Potter said. "He is happy around the place and wants to help the team, that is normal with Mason. He wants the team to win, be injury free and play football."
Armando Broja and Thiago Silva remain the two long-term absences at the club.
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