A new week has arrived and for Chelsea it is a monumental one in their season as they face Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final. The Blues suffered another Premier League setback losing to Wolves at Molineux in Frank Lampard's first game back in charge.
Lampard will require a strong squad if he is to guide the Blues to a historic triumph over the Spanish side. The injury list, though, continues to build up with a number of first team players unavailable for selection.
There was a major boost on Monday for Chelsea with Thiago Silva returning to first-team training at Cobham. The Brazilian has been sidelined since the end of February and is now close to returning to action.
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With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest injury news from west London ahead of Chelsea's huge European tie in Spain.
Thiago Silva
Silva was forced off with a knee injury in the Blues' clash with Tottenham. The following Tuesday, Chelsea released a statement detailing his diagnosis. The time off has been detailed as roughly six weeks, meaning he should return to action in early April.
Now, the centre-back has edged closer to a return to action after returning to training on Monday. He was pictured in training with his teammates and Lampard will be hoping the Brazilian will continue his recovery in Spain.
What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: April
Mason Mount
Mount has been nursing various minor injuries recently, having last played for Chelsea in February. The midfielder trained as normal this week ahead of the clash with Wolves, but it's believed he sustained the setback on Friday.
What Lampard said: "Mason, had a feeling in his pelvic area. Injury that he's been carrying the last two days. He trained in those two days but was struggling a little bit."
Injury: Pelvis
Expected return date: Real Madrid (A) - April 12
N'Golo Kante
Kante was omitted from the travelling Chelsea squad to face Wolves over the weekend and, despite fears of an injury, the midfielder was rested as a precaution. The France international has only recently returned from a hamstring issue which he picked up in August.
The 32-year-old enjoyed a brief cameo off the bench against Aston Villa before leading Chelsea out against Liverpool with the captain's armband. After missing the clash at Molineux, Lampard is hopeful that Kante will be ready and raring to go in the Spanish capital as the Blues look to return to winning ways.
What Lampard said: "N'Golo will be fine as it stands now. Managing him to be fit for the game. Not an issue."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Real Madrid (A) - April 12
Raheem Sterling
After scoring a crucial goal against Borussia Dortmund, Sterling faced another brief spell out of the team with former boss Graham Potter confirming the winger had a fresh fitness concern. He was also left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the international break as a precaution.
His spell on the treatment table is behind him though after featuring off the bench against Liverpool.
What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Returned
Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta sustained a concussion against Southampton following a collision with striker Sekou Mara. The defender left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital but he's on the mend now as he eyes a return in the coming weeks.
What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."
Injury: Concussion
Expected return date: April
Edouard Mendy
In January, Chelsea confirmed that Mendy underwent surgery on a fractured finger which he sustained during training. After an extended period of time on the sidelines, the Senegal international appears to be back in contention for selection.
What Bruno said: "All fit [aside from outside of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva], just Bettinelli is doing some recovery but the rest are fit."
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Returned
Armando Broja
Chelsea have been without Broja for a while now after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.
He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury is a major blow.
Broja has been expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needed surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london reported at the time. However, he's recently been pictured back in individual training at Cobham, albeit mostly gym work.
What was 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: Summer 2023
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