Chelsea travel to struggling Aston Villa on Sunday looking to pile more pressure on Steven Gerrard, who is under fire at the Midlands club. The Blues are looking to make it four straight league wins and six games unbeaten under Graham Potter.
However, the Blues will be making the trip to Villa Park without arguably their best performer this season. Reece James will miss the clash - and is set for a lengthy spell on the side lines - after sustaining an injury against AC Milan in midweek.
The England international won't be the only absentee, as football.london takes a look at the Blues' injury list ahead of tomorrow's match.
READ MORE: Four ways Chelsea can line-up without Reece James following serious injury blow
Reece James
James hobbled off during the second half of Chelsea's win over AC Milan on Tuesday after colliding with Theo Hernandez. football.london understands that James' knee injury is more severe than first thought, and puts his chances of making the World Cup in huge doubt.
What Potter said: "He is due to see a specialist over the weekend so until we get that information there is not much more I can add. The rest will just be speculation from my perspective. We will wait and see."
Expected return date: Unknown.
N'Golo Kante
The Frenchman had only just returned to first-team training, but he has suffered a major injury setback. Kante is set to miss around three months of action with a hamstring injury that he picked up during a training session.
What Potter said: "Again he’s due to see a consultant at the weekend. It’s a setback so it’s not good news. But anything other than that, at this stage I can’t give you any more."
Expected return date: January 2023.
Mason Mount
The Athletic have reported that the midfielder is set to undergo a scan on a thigh issue. It's understood that Mount didn't take part in training on Friday, but Chelsea are hopeful that he'll be available for the trip to Villa.
What Potter said: N/A
Expected return date: Aston Villa (A), October 16.
Hakim Ziyech
The Moroccan came off the bench in the win over Wolves last weekend, but he did not travel with the squad to Milan. The 29-year-old stayed at home due to feeling unwell.
What Potter said: "Hakim is ill. Hakim has a sore throat. That's why he didn't travel."
Expected return date: Aston Villa (A), October 16.
Wesley Fofana
According to French news outlet L'Equipe, Fofana suffered a sprained knee and is set to miss up to four weeks of action. However, Potter doesn't expect the young centre-back to feature before the World Cup break.
What Potter said: "He is just progressing where he was. I don’t think we will see him before the World Cup."
Expected return date: AFC Bournemouth (H), December 26.
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