Chelsea have confirmed a triple injury blow with the news that Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez are set for spells on the sidelines.
James is facing another spell out of the side as the Chelsea captain’s wretched recent record with injuries continues, with the right-back having sustained a ‘significant hamstring injury’.
In a statement on the club’s official website, Chelsea revealed that fellow full-back Marc Cucurella is also set to miss this weekend’s clash with Sheffield United. The Spaniard is set to meet foot and ankle specialists in the coming days.
Cucurella was substituted during the closing stages of last weekend’s defeat at Everton, as was compatriot Robert Sanchez.
The goalkeeper has sustained a knee problem and ‘has undergone assessments’ with specialists and the club’s medical staff. Dorde Petrovic came on as Sanchez’s replacement at Everton and is in line to start in goal against the relegation-battling Blades this weekend.
Chelsea will be aiming to avoid a third straight league loss when they face Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge, with back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Everton having seen the West Londoners drop to 12th in the table.
There was better news on Christopher Nkunku, however, who has returned to full first-team training. The French forward is set to be included in the Chelsea squad for the first time since his £52m move from RB Leipzig this weekend.