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Luke Thrower & Kieran Horn

Mykhailo Mudryk, Reece James, Sterling - Chelsea injury news and return dates after Fulham

Chelsea were unable to mark the return of three of their key players from injury and the debut of Enzo Fernandez with a win as they were taken to a goalless draw by Fulham. Three weeks on from their west London derby defeat to the Cottagers, Chelsea were once again frustrated by Marco Silva's men.

On the bright side, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling all returned to the matchday squad following their respective injuries. James was named in the starting XI while Sterling and Chilwell made their returns as second half substitutions.

Potter still has a number of players absent through injuries but the number of first-team players in the treatment room is slowly decreasing with no player seemingly suffering a fresh injury against Fulham.

READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez a worry for Graham Potter ahead of Chelsea star's Premier League debut vs Fulham

With that said, football.london has taken a look at the latest injury news from Stamford Bridge after Chelsea's stalemate with Fulham.

Mykhailo Mudryk

One of Chelsea's newest signings Mykhailo Mudryk was brought off at half time in the Blues' clash with Fulham. Replacing him was Noni Madueke, with the 22-year-old playing ten more minutes than he managed on his debut.

However, it's likely his withdrawal was because of his lack of match action since November.

What Potter has said: "He's had a heavy cold this week and he was just feeling heavy-legged at half time and we didn't want to take a chance/ He's still in the process where were building up his minutes after the break he was on in Ukraine. So that was our decision there."

Expected return date : West Ham (A) - February 11

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah was named in the squad against Fulham after concerns he had suffered an injury against Liverpool, however he did not come onto the pitch.

Injury: Cramp

Expected return date : West Ham (A) - February 11

Reece James

James was named in Graham Potter's starting XI against Fulham and was brought off on the hour mark with the Blues managing his return to action.

What Potter said: “Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Raheem Sterling, and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] are back in the squad, not ready for 90 minutes but in the squad."

Injury: Knee

Expected return date : West Ham (A) - February 11

Ben Chilwell

Marc Cucurella was preferred to the returning Chilwell against Fulham but the Englishman made his return from injury as a second half sub.

What Potter said: “Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Raheem Sterling, and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] are back in the squad, not ready for 90 minutes but in the squad."

Injury: Thigh

Expected return date : West Ham (A) - February 11

Raheem Sterling

Graham Potter also welcomed back Raheem Sterling to his squad and the former Man City man got his first taste of minutes in over a month as he came on against Fulham in the second half.

What Potter said: “Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Raheem Sterling, and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] are back in the squad, not ready for 90 minutes but in the squad."

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date : West Ham (A) - February 11

N'Golo Kante

Kante has suffered an injury-ridden campaign this 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.

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 : Early 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.

According to the Evening Standard, Fofana is hoping to make his return soon. The Frenchman has been spotted taking part in first-team training, but may not be available for selection against Fulham.

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 : West Ham (A) - February 11

Denis Zakaria

The Chelsea loanee has impressed in recent weeks, 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 and has handed a major blow to Potter's midfield options.

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: February

Christian Pulisic

Pulisic was subbed off with an injury in the Premier League defeat to Manchester City, coming off worse in a tackle by John Stones. The United States international was visibly distressed as he went down twice following the challenge.

He was eventually replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka and also was absent from the matchday squad for the FA Cup clash against City. He is set for another somewhat lengthy spell on the sidelines.

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

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 missed the Bournemouth match and didn't even make the bench against Forest. He had previously come back from international duty in October with an injury but played for his club since then despite being replaced as No.1 by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Injury: Finger

Expected return date: Unknown

Armando Broja

Having pulled up nastily in the side's mid-season friendly against Aston Villa, Armando Broja could be heard reeling in pain as his knee injury more than definitely curtailed his 22/23 season. Having made quite the impression under Potter, it was a sad blow for the former Southampton loanee.

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

READ NEXT:

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Christopher Nkunku sends Graham Potter clear positional instruction ahead of Chelsea transfer

Predicted Chelsea team vs Fulham – Enzo Fernandez debut decision taken, Mykhailo Mudryk starts

Chelsea Premier League squad confirmed as Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk absence explained

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge

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