Chelsea earned a confidence boosting victory as they claimed three points for the first time since mid-January with a 1-0 win against Leeds on Saturday. Although the nature of the performance wasn't always convincing it is nonetheless a massive boost ahead of their key midweek battle.
Graham Potter's men now have a run of four home games in five, starting with the mighty Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. With new signings Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke all on the field for the first time during a win for the club, there is newfound hope of overturning the 1-0 deficit from the first leg at Signal Iduna Park.
Although the Blues will be without Mason Mount through suspension, the match is the one chance to extend the season with games of much more immediate meaning, as a Premier League mid-table finish is all but certain. It gives the supporters plenty to be excited for, too.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea win, substitutions, Koulibaly, Fofana, Chilwell, more
Potter won't have a full squad available to him though. Here, football.london takes you through the latest injury news ahead of the clash.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has struggled to break into the first-team in recent weeks, but was handed a cameo against Tottenham from the bench. The midfielder has since been handed an injury concern that saw him miss out against Leeds United, having sustained a problem with his lower abdomen.
Even if he is fit in midweek he will have to sit it out after hitting the yellow card limit in Germany.
What Potter said: "Mason [Mount] has had a problem with a lower abdomen area and tomorrow [Saturday vs Leeds] is too soon for him."
Injury: Lower abdomen
Expected return date: Leicester (A) - Saturday, March 11.
Reece James
Reece James has struggled with injuries throughout the past campaign, with long-term absences causing plenty of problems for the defender. The Cobham academy graduate was missing from the matchday squad against Leeds and the club will have to hope for good news ahead of Dortmund.
What Potter said: "“Reece just felt a little bit of tightness, which is sometimes understandable when he’s coming back from an injury. We’ve been assessing this week; we feel it’s too soon for the game on Saturday, but there’s a strong chance he’ll be available for Tuesday."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Borussia Dortmund (H) - Tuesday, March 7.
Thiago Silva
Silva was subbed off with a knee injury in the Premier League clash against Tottenham over last weekend. On Tuesday, Chelsea released a statement detailing his diagnosis. "Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Thiago underwent further assessment and a scan on his return to the training centre on Monday.
"Scan results from those assessments have confirmed damage to Thiago’s knee ligaments and he will now work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation to return to action as soon as possible."
The time off has been detailed as roughly six weeks, meaning he would return to action this season, but will miss a chunk of time.
His wife has since posted a video of him getting treated at their home, writing on Instagram: "The needles are on top of the ligament, emitting shocks due to use, it hurts so much."
What Potter said: "Thiago will be around that time [six weeks], not sure exactly."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: April
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic looks set to be closing in on a return to the Chelsea matchday squad after nearly two months out with a knee injury. Posting to his Instagram story, the United States international revealed he is back training on the pitches at Cobham with a picture alongside Mason Mount.
The USMNT international was partially involved in first-team training on Monday, handing a major boost to Potter ahead of the clash with hope of welcoming the forward back ahead of a Champions League reunion with Borussia Dortmund.
What Potter said: "We've had a good week's training, everyone is available pretty much apart from N'Golo and Christian Pulisic. They are making progress, joining the warm-ups, and they will be more integrated next week. So that is good."
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: March
N'Golo Kante
Kante, who sees his contract expire in the summer - although Chelsea are now very confident he will sign a new deal, as football.london understands - is yet to feature under Potter after suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham in August. The midfielder returned to first-team training in the past fortnight but still hasn't been included in a squad.
It remains to be seen exactly how long it would take for him to return to full fitness.
What Potter said: "N’Golo [Kante] had his first full session today, but still needs time."
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March
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. He was at the stadium against Tottenham but not as part of the matchday squad.
Leeds was also too soon for the Chelsea captain, with more time needed before the defender can return. He watched the game at Stamford Bridge from the stands.
What Potter said: "Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] has made progress but is not through protocols after a head injury like that.”
Injury: Concussion
Expected return date: Early March
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea confirmed early in January that Mendy had undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained during training, meaning he will be absent from the squad for some time. The Senegalese shot-stopper was expected to miss at least six weeks, and has yet to return.
Mendy has now been seen in training at Cobham.
Injury: Finger
Expected return date: Unknown
Armando Broja
Chelsea are set to be without Broja until at least the summer months, 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 with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour at present.
Broja is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needs surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london understands.
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: Summer/Autumn 2023
READ NEXT:
Latest Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea injury news as seven to miss tie with Reece James update
Graham Potter discovers N'Golo Kante alternative in Leeds win ahead of Chelsea injury return
Graham Potter channels his inner Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea find their Thiago Silva replacement
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea win, substitutions, Koulibaly, Fofana, Chilwell, more
Paul Merson tells Graham Potter how to turn Chelsea fortunes around with one major change
