Chelsea got their 2023 underway with a difficult evening against Nottingham Forest. The Blues began well enough, with a bit of fortune as Willy Boly's clearance was turned onto the bar, only for Raheem Sterling to score the rebound.
The second half wasn't quite as simple though, as former Tottenham defender Serge Aurier bundled the ball into the back of the net to draw Forest level. The home side seemed much more likely to earn all three points come the end, but were unable to find the breakthrough as both teams settled for a point.
The Blues find themselves sitting ninth in the Premier League table following Brentford's 3-1 win over Liverpool last night. The upcoming fixtures are set to play a telling role in where Graham Potter's side finish this season as they continue their pursuit of a top four finish.
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Next up for Chelsea is title chasers Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Pep Guardiola's side sit seven points behind leaders Arsenal at the top of the tree after failing to defeat Brentford and Everton in their previous two games.
The fixture is the first of two contests between the two as they go head-to-head on Sunday in the FA Cup. With that being said, here's a look at the latest Chelsea injury news ahead of the meeting in west London.
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: "Mendy we are not sure, we’ll have to see in the next few days. He has a problem with his bone [around his shoulder] that he picked up at the World Cup. He may still need a bit of time."
Injury: Shoulder
Expected return date: Manchester City (H), January 5.
Reece James
Pulling up against the Cherries, James seems to have 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
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