Reece James has not been included in the 23-man squad submitted by Chelsea to FIFA for this week's Club World Cup despite travelling to Abu Dhabi with the squad on Sunday afternoon.
The wing-back is nearing a return following a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since the 1-1 draw against Brighton in late December.
James had been expected to miss out on this week's tournament in the United Arab Emirates but the club yesterday said that he had made the trip, fuelling speculation that he could return ahead of schedule.
But the official list submitted to FIFA this morning does not include the 22-year-old.
Edouard Mendy is, however, included. The Senegal goalkeeper is expected to join the rest of his clubmates soon after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in a penalty shootout against Egypt on Sunday night.
Thomas Tuchel has remained in London after testing positive for Covid-19 before Saturday's narrow FA Cup fourth round win over Plymouth Argyle. Hakim Ziyech and Cesar Azpilicueta had picked up knocks but are expected to be fit.
Chelsea face Al Hilal, of Saudi Arabia, in their semi-final on Wednesday evening. Palmeiras or Al Ahly, who play on Tuesday, await in Saturday's final, with the losers set to face off in a third-place play-off.
Chelsea squad for Club World Cup: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, Thiago Silva, Ngolo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Romelu Lukaku, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Marcus Bettinelli, Trevoh Chalobah, Edouard Mendy, Saul Niguez, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Kenedy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kai Havertz, Malang Sarr.
