Chelsea will be aiming to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Wednesday evening as they take on Luton Town.
The Blues come into the game fresh off the back of their Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool so will certainly be aiming to redeem themselves as they travel to Kenilworth Road.
It won’t be straightforward for Chelsea in Bedfordshire though, with Nathan Jones’ men firmly involved in the conversation for the play-off positions.
With that being said, football.london has taken a look at the players currently restricted to the sidelines for the Blues as they attempt to plot a route through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Hakim Ziyech
Having missed the cup final at Wembley, the Moroccan winger looks set to be restricted to the sidelines once more.
He is currently suffering from an Achilles injury and looks highly unlikely to appear at Kenilworth Road.
What Tuchel has said: " Hakim is not available tomorrow and as he was not available for the final. Unfortunately, he feels still uncomfortable. He was not in team training today. He is one of the guys who will miss the game tomorrow."
Potential return date: N/A
Cesar Azpilicueta
Whilst the Spanish defender did manage to take to the pitch at Wembley, his participation against Luton is certainly up in the air.
He lasted just under an hour of the final against Liverpool, eventually being replaced by returnee Reece James. It remains to be seen whether the problem is serious enough to keep him out of this week’s clash.
Potential return date: N/A
Andreas Christensen
Another who was left on the sidelines for the Carabao Cup final, Christensen ’s Achilles injury appears to be worse than first feared.
It is still unclear whether he is back in training so it seems unlikely that he will be involved against the Hatters on Wednesday.
Potential return date: N/A
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell is another who is definitely on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from his long-term knee injury.
He is not expected to return until at least the beginning of next season.
Potential return date: N/A
Reece James
Having made somewhat of a longer return than expected at Wembley, most Chelsea supporters would certainly have been hoping that there were no adverse effects for Reece James.
The defender had only just recovered from a long-term hamstring injury but is fit and firing ahead of the trip to Luton.
What Tuchel has said: "Yes, brilliant form, but now with a huge overload on his [James’] shoulders. The recommendation was for him to play 20 minutes before the match and it was like over 70 in a final with extra tension, extra pressure against Liverpool.”
Potential return date: Luton Town (A) - Wednesday, March 2
