Chelsea defender Reece James is currently injured as he is dealing with a hamstring injury.
The England international has been key for Chelsea this season, so Liam Rosenior will be desperate for him to return as early as possible for the run-in, especially because the Blues have a massive game against Manchester City up next.
Chelsea come off a dominant 7-0 win against Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final, setting up a semi-final tie against a tough Leeds United side.
The Blues’ next game against Man City is a potential for James, as he looks to return from his hamstring issue, but Rosenior hasn’t yet confirmed if he’ll be back.
He said: “Reece is getting along really well, but he’s not ready yet. I don’t know [in terms of a return date] yet. We work day to day, and I don’t want to give a timeline and [the players] not come through with that timeline.”
Expected return date – Sunday 12 April vs Man City (H)
Filip Jorgensen
Goalkeeper Jorgensen is dealing with a groin injury which he suffered in early March, and it was revealed after a scan that he would be out for around a month.
He is working to come back next weekend, and could be in line to play against Manchester City, although Robert Sanchez will likely get the starting role. Rosenior said: “Unfortunately, he had his scan and needed a minor operation.”
Expected return date – Sunday 12 April vs Man City (H)
Benoit Badiashile
Centre-back Badiashile will be a welcome return to the team, as the Blues’ depth at the centre-back position hasn’t been the best.
The 25-year-old is dealing with a virus that has kept him out of action for several weeks. He is currently being assessed ahead of the Man City game at the weekend.
Expected return date – Sunday 12 April vs Man City (H)
Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah was a huge loss, as he has arguably been Chelsea’s most reliable centre-back this season, so he will be very welcome when he’s able to return from his ankle injury.
Rosenior said over the weekend: “Trevoh is progressing really, really well. I don’t know [in terms of a return date] yet. We work day to day, and I don’t want to give a timeline and [the players] not come through with that timeline.”
He is looking at a return in early May, meaning that he will miss games against Man City, Man United, Leeds and Brighton.
Expected return date – Saturday 4 May vs Nottingham Forest (H)
Jamie Gittens
Gittens has been out for an extended period of time with a hamstring injury. He was all but ready to return, but suffered a set back in training last week, meaning that he is now out for even longer.
Rosenior said: “Unfortunately, Jamie, in training yesterday, picked up what looks like a hamstring injury again. We have to scan him and make sure. It’s a real shame for him… I can’t give you a [RTP] time frame on that at the moment.”
Expected return date – Saturday 9 May vs Liverpool (A)
Levi Colwill
Colwill has been out for the majority of the season, but it is understood that the defender is back in training and could make an appearance before the end of the season.
Rosenior said: “It’s great to have Levi back in full training, but it’s going to take him a few more weeks to tick those boxes before he’s ready [to feature].”
Expected return date – Sunday 24 May vs Sunderland (A)