Graham Potter has been handed a huge boost ahead of Chelsea's clash with AC Milan with the Blues set to welcome back a number of first-team players. One of whom is Thiago Silva, who was one of seven to have been rested against Wolves following the 3-0 win over the Italian giants at Stamford Bridge midweek.
The west Londoners will still be without Wesley Fofana, who suffered a knee strain against the Rossoneri and will be out for up to four weeks. But, Trevoh Chalobah has impressed in his absence and could be set to feature at the San Siro on Tuesday.
Chelsea have a wealth of attacking options at Potter's disposal, with many beginning to strike some momentum. Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja and Kai Havertz all found the net at the weekend and will be eager to build upon their a rich vein of form.
READ MORE: Graham Potter explains Thiago Silva Chelsea absence and why Reece James, Raheem Sterling rested
But, Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are ready and waiting in the ranks. So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at the injury dilemmas Potter has contend with ahead of Chelsea's clash with AC Milan.
Wesley Fofana
According to French news outlet L'Equipe, Fofana suffered a sprained knee and is set to miss up to four weeks of action. Daily Telegraph journalist Matt Law has also confirmed the news that the French centre-back will be fit again before the 2022 World Cup in November.
What Potter said: "Obviously, we missed Wesley [Fofana] and Mateo Kovacic, three games in a week for him would've been too much as he has been nursing a knee problem."
Expected return date: November 2022
Thiago Silva
The defender was a surprise absentee from the squad, despite not having picked up a noticeable injury during the full 90 minutes he played midweek against his former side.
However, Potter explained post-match that the 38-year-old played through that game with an illness that had obviously got slightly worse ahead of Saturday's victory.
What Potter said: "Thiago [Silva] had a heavy cold at the start of the week but played against Milan. Two days to recover is really short for him, so we didn't want to take the chance there."
Expected return date: AC Milan (A), October 11
Reece James
The right-back came on as a second-half substitute as the Three Lions international was replaced in the starting XI by Cesar Azpilicueta, but there was a certain reason for that, as the manager revealed post-match.
What Potter said: "Reece James had a dead leg that wasn't fully recovered yesterday, so we wanted to give him a bit of extra time and use him at the back end of the game rather than the start."
Expected return date: AC Milan (A), October 11
Ben Chilwell
Another name absent from the starting line-up for Wolves was the left-back who impressed like many others did against AC Milan.
But with his ACL injury still in mind, Potter didn't want to risk any silly injuries when he had Marc Cucurella fit and available for this one.
What Potter said: "Ben Chilwell playing three games in a week after recovering from an ACL injury. That wouldn't have been the smartest thing to do to put him out there, especially when we've got Marc Cucurella."
Expected return date: AC Milan (A), October 11
Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Both players were rested, replaced by Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz, respectively, as Potter wanted to rest his unused big hitters for the crucial midweek trip to Italy.
What Potter said: "Raheem [Sterling] has had a load of football this season, so we thought it would be good for him to have a breather and help us at the back end of the game if we needed him. It's similar with Auba [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang]. Even though he is in a great moment and forwards rely on rhythm, he hasn't had that much football previous to coming to Chelsea and has had an injury.
"It felt like today was a good chance to give him a breather, and if we needed him at the back end of the game, we could've used him. That was the thinking process."
Expected return date: AC Milan (A), October 11
N'Golo Kante
Kante is back in full Chelsea training. Didier Deschamps left the 31-year-old out of his France squad for fixtures against Austria and Denmark over the course of the international break, allowing time for him to work on his fitness. However, he is still not match-ready after missing the game against Milan.
What Potter said: "NG is training more and more. Not fully, but getting closer. That is really positive. That's about it, I think."
Expected return date: Unknown
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