Chelsea are back in action today (Saturday) as they host Aston Villa in the late kick-off in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge. The clash starts the run-in the Blues will face all the way to the end of the 2022/23 season, with slim hopes of making a charge towards an unlikely European finish.
Graham Potter returns from the international break with a few returning faces, though there were plenty of concerns over the two-week period. Kai Havertz was amongst a few stars that pulled out of their national team squad with a worry heading into the tie against Villa.
With that said, here's a look at the latest injury news and return dates for the Blues as they look to start a winning run until the end of the season.
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Christian Pulisic
Graham Potter admitted that USMNT winger Christian Pulisic may be absent from Chelsea's clash with Aston Villa, due to an illness he picked up over the international break.
What Potter has said: "Christian Pulisic is the only one, he had a heavy cold returning from international duty so he's one we've just got to check on."
Injury: Illness
Expected return date: Uknown
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz is the latest name on the list of doubts for Graham Potter after the forward returned from international duty with Germany. In a statement on social media, Germany confirmed Havertz was set to return to Chelsea through illness which has since been labelled as a flu infection, with Potter claiming he has recovered.
What Potter has said: "Kai was fever but he's recovered now and has trained the last couple of days."
Injury: Illness
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) - April 1
Reece James
Reece James withdrew from the England squad to take on Ukraine on Sunday evening due to an 'ongoing issue' with a minor hamstring injury. The 23-year-old Chelsea defender has struggled with injury problems all season-long and unfortunately, it looked like another setback.
He came on in Thursday night's win over Italy, but only for the remaining five minutes after replacing Bukayo Saka. England released the following statement on James: "Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad and will not feature against Ukraine on Sunday. The full-back has returned to Chelsea for an assessment on an ongoing issue."
However, it appears his withdrawal may have simply been a precaution after he was pictured during training on Tuesday, suggesting a return could be imminent.
What Potter has said: "Reece as well, he's had the last two training sessions with us so providing there's no reaction, he should be available."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) - April 1
N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante returned to the Chelsea matchday squad before the international break for the clash against Everton. The Frenchman played 60 minutes in a development squad victory over Charlton last Friday.
What Potter said: "N'Golo's due to carry on training Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with potentially a game to give him some minutes."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) - April 1
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has missed a number of games recently due to various injury issues. He has been in and out of training, but returned last Tuesday along with a number of other teammates.
However, despite originally being called up, Mount also had to pull out of Gareth Southgate's England squad and it appears as though a return in the starting side against Villa is too soon, but can still feature.
What Potter said: "Mason has trained and is available, probably not from the start but in the squad."
Injury: Lower abdomen
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) - April 1
Raheem Sterling
After scoring a crucial goal against Borussia Dortmund, Sterling has faced another brief spell out of the team with Potter confirming the winger had a fresh fitness concern. He was also left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the international break as a precaution.
His spell on the treatment table appears to be behind him though, after the club confirmed he was back in training, with a comeback against Liverpool more likely.
What Potter has said: "Raheem is coming back. He will miss the game, think he's got more chance for Tuesday. He was close."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected r eturn date: Liverpool (H) - April 4
Edouard Mendy
In January, Chelsea confirmed that Mendy underwent surgery on a fractured finger which he sustained during training. After an extended period of time on the sidelines, the Senegal international finally made his return to training last week, pictured alongside his fellow goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marcus Bettinelli.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) - April 1
Wesley Fofana
Potter revealed Fofana had been taken off against Everton due to fatigue. The Chelsea boss claimed that the defender he was simply 'feeling his hamstring' despite many suspecting he had picked up another injury.
Fofana was later spotted in the dugout at Stamford Bridge with an ice pack on his right thigh, leaving some supporters to fear the worst. As such, he remained in England in an effort to make a return against Aston Villa, but that doesn't seem possible, with a return against Liverpool more likely.
What Potter has said: "Wesley is going to miss the game because his hamstring is still a little bit tight, there's a chance for Tuesday with him."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected r eturn date: Liverpool (H) - April 4
Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta sustained a concussion against Southampton following a collision with striker Sekou Mara. The defender left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital but he's on the mend now as he eyes a return, however Potter admitted that the player will still be missing against Aston Villa.
What Potter said: "Well, Thiago and Azpi are still away."
Injury: Concussion
Expected return date: Unknown
Thiago Silva
Silva was forced off with a knee injury in the Blues' clash with Tottenham. The following Tuesday, Chelsea released a statement detailing his diagnosis. The time off has been detailed as roughly six weeks, meaning he should return to action in early April.
His wife has since posted a video of him getting treated at their home, writing on Instagram: "The needles are on top of the ligament, emitting shocks due to use, it hurts so much." Silva is still away from action as Potter detailed the latest on him ahead of the clash with Villa.
What Potter said: "Well, Thiago and Azpi are still away."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: April
Armando Broja
Chelsea have been without Broja for a while now after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury is a major blow.
Broja has been expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needed surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london reported at the time. However, he's recently been pictured back in individual training at Cobham, albeit mostly gym work.
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 2023
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