Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Saturday evening as they face an Aston Villa side with hopes of finishing in the top half. The Blues are currently one place above their opponents this weekend but will end the day in the bottom half if they were to lose.
Despite a mini-recovery from Graham Potter before the international break the 2-2 draw with Everton raised yet more questions of him and his squad. This game offers a chance to quieten the critics for now but it will have to be done with a side far from match fit.
The fortnight away has allowed for several players to continue recovering from short, medium and long-term injuries but those away with their country have also come back in far from the ideal condition.
READ MORE: Arsenal leapfrog Chelsea in Declan Rice transfer race as Todd Boehly inflates price tag
With that in mind, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a rotated XI from Potter, especially with the attention turning firmly towards the Champions League quarter-final ties with Real Madrid. On the flip side, the boss will be keen to see his players gel together on the pitch in the build-up to the games.
On the positive front, star man N'Golo Kante is set to step up his recovery after having two weeks off to continue his return to fitness. The Frenchman was an unused substitute against Everton - the first sign of him in a matchday squad since August. He played 60 minutes in a friendly against Charlton during the break.
He was joined at Cobham by fellow countryman Wesley Fofana. The defender was set to play for Didier Deschamps but suffered a late setback with fatigue and a hamstring twinge days before the break. He has since returned to training though and has had ample time to rest.
Also remaining at Cobham were England pair Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount. Both have been regulars under Gareth Southgate but neither were involved in the two Euro 2024 qualifiers. "Raheem has a problem with his hamstring. It's not too serious but he'll miss the game at the weekend and the international trip," Potter explained before the break.
Meanwhile, Mount hasn't played since the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham due to a lower abdomen strain. He was initially included in the squad but Potter addressed that, saying: "He's never been available as far as I am aware.
"He needed a bit of time for his injury to settle down which has pretty much ruled him out of England. Whether that meant they needed a bit of time to double-check that, I don't know.
"I don’t think there is anything untoward at all. It's more that sometimes with these things he can be named and yet there are still a couple of days where things can be changed. But from my selection perspective, he wasn't available for the weekend."
Both players have been seen in images on social media of training since, as has Fofana, easing any fears that their setbacks are likely to affect the game against Villa. Fellow Three Lions teammate Reece James was also back at Cobham when not expected after he withdrew after England's game against Italy.
James was a second-half substitute in the game but returned to his club out of precaution. He has also been seen on the training field ahead of Saturday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Edouard Mendy, two players on the fringes of the squad with knocks and injuries, have also been training. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta is yet to be seen in action since his concussion, the Spaniard has also had an injury keeping him out since then and remains a doubt.
Kai Havertz was another forced to return early from playing for his country, coming back with illness after playing for Germany against Peru. An update is expected on him when Potter speaks to the media on Friday. Thiago Silva is still out with his knee injury, the Blues will be hopeful he can recover before the first leg against Madrid.
Armando Broja is the only long-term absence and he won't play again this season. Aston Villa on the other hand have some doubts of their own. Goalkeeper Jed Steer and Matty Cash are out meanwhile Leander Dendonker hasn't played in the last three matches.
Midfielder Boubacar Kamara is another doubt, as is Phillipe Coutinho.
READ NEXT:
Every 'leaked' Chelsea 2023/24 kit as jaw-dropping images emerge with Graham Potter hint
Graham Potter sacked, Champions League winners: Pundits predict Chelsea end of season outcome
Chelsea owners Clearlake Capital make mega $4bn takeover move
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly given three ways to avoid FFP disaster amid Champions League fear
'Beautiful' new 2023/24 Chelsea home kit design emerges with Champions League prediction made
