Things don't get any easier for Graham Potter's Chelsea after a draw to Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day. The 1-1 result meant that they missed out on the chance to get back-to-back league wins for the first time since early October and mounted pressure on the new manager.
Chelsea start the game 10th in the table and 10 points off the top four, albeit with a game in hand. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City lie in wait though and it will be far from a full fit squad available to Potter at Stamford Bridge.
With just one win in seven and another match against the league champions to come in the FA Cup on Sunday, and Liverpool also on the horizon, it is a bleak period for Blues fans. There is no let up though and the show must go on.
READ MORE: Graham Potter outlines David Datro Fofana plan and explains big transfer problem facing Chelsea
Here's the latest injury news with updates on those unavailable for the match at SW6.
Edouard Mendy
The Senegalese shot-stopper missed the Bournemouth match and didn't even make the bench against Forest. He had previously come back from international duty in October with an injury but played for his club since then despite being replaced as No1 by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
What Potter said: “He’s been training a little bit more than he was. He’s not fully fit at the moment but hopefully the next week or so he will make progress.”
Injury: Shoulder
Expected return date: Unknown
Reece James
Pulling up against the Cherries, James has suffered a recovering setback of the injury that meant the defender missed the World Cup in Qatar. James has posted an image of himself an N'Golo Kante in recovery though, boosting Chelsea fans' mood in the new year with the caption: "On the mend."
What Potter said: "It's the same area, so we are concerned. It's really too soon [to tell]. We'll have to see over the next 24-48 hours. He felt something there and we will have to find out the extent of it and keep our fingers crossed."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Mid-February
Wesley Fofana
Having missed most of the season so far, former Leicester man Welsey Fofana's influence at the back has been somewhat felt in his absence. Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva have performed well, but the Frenchman will be keen to return to action soon.
What Potter said: ''Wesley had a little setback, which can sometimes happen at the very last stage of rehab, so he will be [out for] a couple of weeks."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Early January
N'Golo Kante
Having also missed the World Cup, 2018 winners France fell at the final hurdle, with some hinting that N'Golo Kante's influence may have been missed in midfield.
What Potter said: ''He’ll be [the] end of Feb [or the] start of March. It’s a surgery, so it’s a minimum period of four months. My focus is to help him get back fit as soon as possible."
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: Mid-February
Ben Chilwell
Again have missed large parts of the Blues season, fellow defender Ben Chilwell will be keen to get back fit and help Chelsea's chances of claiming a place in the top four this season.
What Potter said: "Ben has come back from his individual work in Dubai, and he's now working closer with the guys but still not team training."
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: February
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Having been deployed in a number of different positions so far this season, Potter will have missed the versatility that Loftus-Cheek no doubt suitably brings to this Chelsea side.
What Potter said: ''Ruben is doing some work in the gym so we’re hopeful that he can be involved next week but we’ll see how he goes.''
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: Early January
Armando Broja
Having pulled up nastily in the side's mid-season friendly against Aston Villa, Armando Broja could be heard reeling in pain as his knee injury more than definitely curtailed his 22/23 season. Having made quite the impression under Potter, it was a sad blow for the former Southampton loanee.
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: Late 2023
READ NEXT:
Enzo Fernandez and Benoit Badiashile prove Todd Boehly's Chelsea transfer plan is working
Chelsea 'chaotic' under Todd Boehly says Gary Neville amid ongoing form and fitness concerns
Koulibaly replaced, Ziyech steps up – Three Chelsea changes Graham Potter must make vs Man City
Chelsea agree £33.6m Benoit Badiashile transfer amid London medical as personal terms agreed
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
