Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed Ben Chilwell will be sent for scans on a hamstring injury suffered late in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Blues won just their third game of the campaign in all competitions thanks to Nicolas Jackson’s second-half strike, but the game ended on a sour note as vice-captain Chilwell limped off the pitch with an apparent hamstring problem.
“We need to assess it tomorrow but I think it is hamstring,” Pochettino said of Chilwell’s problem after the game.
The match was a rare chance to start for Chilwell who, after beginning the season as a winger, failed to start any of Chelsea’s last two Premier League games, with centre-back Levi Colwill being preferred in his position.
Pochettino also named a further two left-backs in his starting lineup to face Brighton, with Marc Cucurella starting at right-back and Ian Maatsen playing in an advanced role on the right wing.
Pochettino will hope that Chilwell has avoided any serious injury as he heads into a tough run of fixtures without a number of key players.
In defence, Wesley Fofana remains a long-term absentee and the Frenchman has been joined by Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and right-back Reece James, who is also facing a ban after being charged by the FA over using abusive language towards an official.
Another right-back, Malo Gusto, is suspended after being shown a red card in the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia also remain unavailable for Pochettino’s side, who are back in action on Monday against Fulham.