Chelsea are set to be without Raheem Sterling for several more weeks with the condition of his injured hamstring being continually assessed.
The England forward will miss at least his side’s next two matches, at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday and away at Liverpool in the Premier League on January 21.
After that, his condition will become clearer and there is believed to be a chance that he will be fit to play in the Champions League last-16 first leg away at Borussia Dortmund on February 15.
Sterling is one of 10 players currently sidelined as an injury crisis engulfs Stamford Bridge. Graham Potter’s extensive list of absentees has contributed to a radical decline in the club’s form, with just one win in their last nine games.
The growing number of injuries sustained has been a problem for almost three months now. Denis Zakaria came off with a quad injury in the second half of Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Thursday night to raise further concerns over their ability to overcome such a wretched run.
N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Armando Broja, Wesley Fofana, Edouard Mendy and Christian Pulisic complete the injury list, while new loan signing Joao Felix will miss three games through suspension after being sent off on his debut at Craven Cottage.
Chelsea currently sit 10th in the Premier League and 10 points adrift of the top four amid their worst run since 1996, having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
