Chelsea will be without centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly for their Premier League game against Brighton, Frank Lampard has confirmed.
The Senegal international started in a back three in the Blues' Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday. Koulibaly seemed to sustain the injury after denying Rodrygo and was replaced by Marc Cucurella in the 55th minute.
Lampard will now be without the defender for the game with Brighton and second-leg with Madrid on Tuesday. "No, he won't be available for either game.
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"A hamstring injury, it will be a matter of weeks rather than days," Lampard said on Friday. "He's a very good, very experienced player. Albeit, people talk a lot about our squad but when you work and sometimes you haven't got lots of cover and the Champions League squad is different to the Premier League squad.
"It's a disappointment for him and for us, but opportunity and we carry on without him. Hopefully, he gets fit as quick as he can."
Koulibaly's confirmed absence means Lampard will be without only three players of his squad - a significant difference to the injury list Graham Potter was forced to deal with.
Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante both started in Madrid in midweek and are in contention to feature once again at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Raheem Sterling only lasted 65 minutes in the Spanish capital.
Elsewhere, Chelsea will continue to be without Armando Broja and Cesar Azpilicueta, the former a long-term absentee and the latter last seen on February 18.
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