Fresh from an increasingly rare home victory in the Premier League, Chelsea return to the road to tackle Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
The Blues emerged victorious from a five-goal thriller with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, where a pair of Enzo Fernandez efforts and a Levi Colwill header proved decisive.
Mauricio Pochettino's men have leapfrogged West London rivals Brentford into 10th place in the table ahead of their reunion with old foes Man United, who have not pulled up trees either this season.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with the Red Devils, who were deservedly beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United last time out.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Tendon
Possible return date: Unknown
Malo Gusto was again unavailable for Chelsea during their contest with Brighton owing to a tendon problem, and the right-back will also miss the journey to Old Trafford.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
Ben Chilwell has helplessly watched on from the sidelines for several weeks due to his hamstring injury, and it is still unclear when the left-back might be deemed ready for first-team duties again.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Pochettino decided against risking Christopher Nkunku for the clash with Brighton as the Frenchman completes the final stages of his recovery from a knee injury, and he will not make the squad at Old Trafford either.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
On the other hand, the hapless Wesley Fofana will be consigned to the treatment room for another several months with an ACL injury, which could render him unavailable for the rest of the campaign.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: Unknown
In the middle of October, Chelsea revealed that Trevoh Chalobah had to take a step back in his recovery from a thigh problem due to complications, and the defender remains unavailable for selection at this juncture.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Carney Chukwuemeka also suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a knee problem a couple of months ago, and the ex-Aston Villa youngster remains in the care of the medical team for the foreseeable future.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Similar to Nkunku, Romeo Lavia was also overlooked for his long-awaited debut at the weekend despite almost shaking off his ankle problem, and Pochettino has determined that the Belgian midfielder is not ready for his baptism at Old Trafford.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Unspecified
Possible return date: Unknown
Backup goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has been away from the first team for some time due to an unspecified injury, which will also prevent him from making the squad this time around.
Lesley Ugochukwu
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: Unknown
Lesley Ugochukwu has joined Chelsea's lengthy list of absentees with a muscular problem, and it is unclear when the former Rennes starlet will be available for selection again.
Noni Madueke
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: Unknown
Similarly, Noni Madueke has also been ruled out of this encounter with a muscular concern, although Pochettino is hopeful that the winger will not be sidelined for too long.
CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST
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Return date: December 10 (vs. Everton)
Reece James and Marc Cucurella will both return from one-game bans this week, but captain Conor Gallagher must now serve his own suspension, having been dismissed for two bookable offences against the Seagulls.
Ben Knapton
