Chelsea round off their Conference League league phase campaign when Irish club Shamrock Rovers travel to Stamford Bridge on matchday six this Thursday.
Enzo Maresca's men are already through to the last 16 with a place in the top eight secure as the only club still with a 100% record, and just a draw here will be enough to see them finish the league phase in first place.
Shamrock currently join them in top eight after exceeding pre-tournament expectations, and will hope to take advantage of a potentially complacent Chelsea to advance straight through to the last 16 with them.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Irish club on Thursday.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Morecambe)
After sustaining a hamstring injury in the win over Aston Villa, it was revealed Fofana will spend four-to-five weeks on the sidelines, so a return before the end of the year is off the cards.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
Another hamstring injury for James means he is currently on the treatment table, and he is set to remain there for the rest of 2024, ruling him out of the hectic festive period.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Unknown
Possible return date: Unknown
Manager Maresca revealed that Badiashile picked up an injury in training ahead of the fixture with Brentford, but gave very little away about what type of issue he suffered, and how long it could sideline him for.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
Summer signing Kellyman has missed the entirety of the season so far for the Blues, and will not return until the new year at the earliest due to a hamstring injury of his own.
© Imago
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Illness
Possible return date: December 18 (vs. Shamrock)
Mudryk has now missed four matches due to illness, so a return cannot be far away, and it could be here considering how often he has been used in the Conference League by Maresca.
© Imago
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: December 18 (vs. Shamrock)
Lavia was taken off at half time against Spurs, did not travel to Kazakhstan, and was then not available for the clash with Brentford, but Maresca has said he believes Lavia will be fine to return in their next outing.
© Imago
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Unknown
Possible return date: December 18 (vs. Shamrock)
Felix missed the win over Brentford, but manager Maresca has also stated that he should be fine to return immediately.
CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST
Chelsea have no players missing due to suspension, with Pedro Neto now available after serving a domestic ban at the weekend, while Marc Cucurella's red card following the final whistle against Brentford will not affect his availability for this European encounter.
Andrew Delaney
