Chelsea will be without at least seven players when they travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Blues were dealt another injury blow earlier this week when left-back Ben Chilwell was ruled out until December with a hamstring problem, and he will join Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana (both knee), Romeo Lavia (ankle) and Marcus Bettinelli (unspecified) in the treatment room.
Reece James is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury, but he will serve a one-match suspension this weekend for improper conduct towards an official in the loss to Aston Villa last month, while fellow right-back Malo Gusto – who was sent off in the same fixture against Villa – will serve the third and final game of his three-match ban.
Benoit Badiashile (hamstring), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) have all stepped up their recovery in training but remain doubtful for Saturday, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is available for selection despite coming off at half time shortly after scoring his first Chelsea goal in the 2-0 win at Fulham on Monday with a thigh issue.
Moises Caidedo is also fit to feature despite sustaining a knock to his knee against Fulham, and the Ecuadorian should therefore retain his place in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher.
The absence of both James and Gusto is set to see left-back Marc Cucurella continue at right-back, with Levi Colwill operating on the left while Axel Disasi and Thiago Silva continue to link arms in central defence.
Armando Broja and Cole Palmer both impressed in the win at Fulham, with the former scoring his first goal for the Blues in nearly 12 months following a lengthy injury lay-off, and the attacking duo will hope to keep their places in attack for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
However, Nicolas Jackson is available for selection after serving a one-game ban and will battle with Broja for the centre-forward spot, while Raheem Sterling – who was benched on Monday after suffering with a virus before the match – is in contention to return on either flank.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Cucurella, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
Oliver Thomas
