Chelsea will be without Nicolas Jackson for around a month, starting with tonight’s trip to Brighton in the Premier League.
With Marc Guiu already sidelined, Blues boss Enzo Maresca had hoped to have the striker back for another trip to the Amex Stadium. But scans this week revealed that Jackson’s hamstring injury is worse than first feared.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW BRIGHTON VS CHELSEA LIVE!
It means that Christopher Nkunku leads the line on the south coast, despite an underwhelming performance when Chelsea crashed out of the FA Cup fourth round against the same opponents last weekend.
In better news for Chelsea, Maresca has confirmed that captain Reece James is fit and available having been rested for that tie, though he is only named on the bench as Malo Gusto gets the nod to start.
Filip Jorgensen returns in goal in place of Robert Sanchez, after Maresca confirmed the 22-year-old is now his first-choice ‘keeper in the league.
Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile all remain long-term absentees, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Nkunku
Subs: Sanchez, Acheampong, Tosin, Anselmino, James, Amougou, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, George
Time and date: 8pm GMT tonight on Friday February 14, 2025
Venue: Amex Stadium
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
How to watch: Sky Sports
