Chelsea's biggest game of the season arrives this evening as they welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge for a Champions League quarter-final second leg. To secure an unlikely spot in the semi-finals the Blues must overturn a two-goal deficit against the European champions.
While a challenging test awaits Frank Lampard and his players, severe injury problems are minimal with the woes prominent in early 2023 gradually decreasing. Despite a fresh blow coming the way of Kalidou Koulibaly, several key first-team stars including Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling and Reece James have been able to remain injury-free.
Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante are still working their way back to full fitness after playing in the first leg, before being given the weekend off. A fresh concern does not appear present for either man, but one Chelsea star could face a race against time to be fit for Tuesday's second leg.
READ MORE: Frank Lampard takes aim at Graham Potter over Chelsea issue ahead of Real Madrid clash
With that said, football.london has the rounded up latest from the treatment room ahead of the game.
Kai Havertz
Havertz was a second half substitute in the first leg against Real Madrid but wasn't used against Brighton due to an injury.
What Lampard said: "Kai Has had a little issue with his knee which he felt in Madrid on Wednesday night. He should be fine for Tuesday."
Expected return date: Real Madrid, (H) - April 18
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek was omitted from the squad to face Brighton due to an injury. The midfielder is still yet to feature for Lampard this season after the 44-year-old replaced Graham Potter in the dugout.
What Lampard said: "Ruben - back."
Injury: Back
Expected return date: Unknown
N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante played 75 minutes for Chelsea against Real Madrid on last week but the Frenchman was rested against Brighton. It is believed to have been for precautionary purposes ahead of the crucial Champions League tie.
Expected return date: Real Madrid, (H) - April 18
Thiago Silva
Silva was rushed back for the first leg against Real Madrid after missing over six weeks of action. He wasn't then included in the squad to face Brighton but, like Kante, is expected to be just a precautionary measure.
Expected return date: Real Madrid, (H) - April 18
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly started in a back three for Chelsea against Real Madrid and after a lung-busting run to track back and deny Rodrygo a chance, the defender pulled up clutching his hamstring. Frank Lampard has now provided the latest update on his injury.
What Lampard said: "No, he won't be available for either game," the 41-year-old said in response to Koulibaly's chances of playing in the next two fixtures.
"A hamstring injury, it will be a matter of weeks rather than days. He's a very good, very experienced player. 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."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Arsenal (A) May 2
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.
Mendy was the starting goalkeeper under Frank Lampard during his first stint as manager but it remains to be seen whether he replaces Kepa Arrizabalaga in the side before the end of the season. Mendy has returned to the bench for Chelsea but is yet to play in 2023.
What Lampard said: "I think he [Kepa] has been in good form and Edou has had a couple of injuries. He is still carrying a small one at the moment so the position as you see it doesn’t change. I’m not judging anything on my previous time at the club as opposed to what is in front of me now."
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 was 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 Lampard said: N/A
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Summer 2023
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