Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill is facing up to six weeks out after suffering a muscular injury in training with Brighton, football.london understands.
The 19-year-old has established himself in Roberto de Zerbi's defence since the World Cup break and produced a number of impressive displays. The most recent came against Liverpool on Saturday: Colwill started and starred as the Seagulls secured a 3-0 victory at the Amex.
Colwill's form since the turn of the year has caught the eye of England head coach Gareth Southgate. The Athletic reported this week that serious consideration was being given to calling the Chelsea academy graduate up for the Three Lions' Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine in March.
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However, a source close to the club has confirmed Colwill is set to be ruled out until late February due to the injury sustained this week. It will mean he misses the Seagulls' FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool later this month.
The centre-back was pictured in the directors' box at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for Chelsea's Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. The Blues are understood to be keen to tie the defender down to a long-term deal, something they have done with fellow academy graduates Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja this season.
Colwill's current contract at Chelsea runs until 2025, but high-profile clubs across the Premier League and in Europe are monitoring his situation at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli in the summer and Benoit Badiashile from Monaco this month.
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