Mauricio Pochettino will endeavour to lift his first piece of silverware as Chelsea manager when his side lock horns with Liverpool in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The Blues have navigated their way past AFC Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and most recently Middlesbrough to reach their 10th showpiece event in this competition, coming from behind to thump Boro 6-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Chelsea head to Wembley in buoyant mood having put together a three-game unbeaten run, including an admirable 1-1 draw away against Premier League champions Manchester City last weekend, but they will have to cope without a number of senior stars for their EFL Cup duel with Liverpool.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with Jurgen Klopp's side.
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Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: February 25 (vs. Liverpool)
Thiago Silva missed Chelsea's draw at Man City after sustaining a groin injury in the previous match against Crystal Palace. The 39-year-old defender's "minor injury" is due to be assessed ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
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Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: February 25 (vs. Liverpool)
Robert Sanchez has recovered from a long-term knee injury, but he was not deemed ready to play against Man City last weekend. However, the goalkeeper could be in a position to return to the matchday squad against Liverpool.
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Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: February 25 (vs. Liverpool)
Carney Chukwuemeka twisted his ankle during training last week which forced him to miss the draw at Man City, and it remains to be seen if the midfielder will be fit to return for Sunday's match.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: March 11 (vs. Newcastle United)
Benoit Badiashile is nursing a groin problem and has subsequently missed the last two games, with the Frenchman not expected to return to action until the middle of next month at the earliest.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Wesley Fofana is yet to make a single appearance for Chelsea this season due to a long-term knee injury and the defender is facing a race against time to return before the end of the campaign.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
Reece James underwent hamstring surgery just before Christmas and it remains to be seen whether the Chelsea captain will recover before the end of the season.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: Unknown
Romeo Lavia, who has made just one substitute appearance since joining Chelsea last summer, is still recovering from a thigh injury that has kept him sidelined since the end of last year, and there is currently no timescale on his potential return.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
Lesley Ugochukwu sustained a hamstring injury in the loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve and it remains unknown as to when the midfielder could return to the first-team fold.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Marc Cucurella last played for Chelsea in an away win at Everton in early December in which he sustained an ankle injury that required surgery. The left-back was pictured in light training last week, though, and it is thought that he is targeting a return at some stage next month.
CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST
Chelsea have no suspended players for this match.
Oliver Thomas
