Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be desperate to see a response from his players this weekend as they threaten to fall behind in the race for the Champions League places.
The Blues are on a run of just two wins in their last nine league games, and this has seen them fall as low as sixth in the Premier League.
Injuries have certainly not helped the manager’s cause. Both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are currently absent after picking up problems in the same game.
Maresca was confident Chelsea could cope without Jackson, however the two defeats to Brighton since may have seen him realise the impact the Senegal star was having on his side.
Enzo Maresca says all injured Chelsea players could return after international break
The goalscoring duo were added to on the treatment table by Noni Madueke, who limped off in their last league outing. Maresca was worried about Madueke after the game.
With the likes of Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile also still absent, Maresca was going to be asked about if anyone would be able to return in time for the trip to Aston Villa at the weekend.
Maresca said that thankfully there are no new injury concerns, and claimed that after the upcoming international break the Blues could welcome back the majority of their wounded stars.
He said: “We don’t have any update on the injuries. “We don’t have any additional injuries. Noni will be out until international break probably.
“Probably after the international break, we can have most of the players back, maybe all of them and for us it can be a big boost.”
This seems to include Fofana, who looked set to be out for a long period of time. Maresca claimed Fofana may not play again this season after his injury back in December.
Tyrique George could make Premier League debut
The boss’ immediate thoughts are likely to revolve around who could replace Madueke from his starting side from their last outing at the Amex.
Tyrique George could make his first league start for Chelsea, with him impressing in a cameo off the bench in that game.
Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho have not provided enough in front of goal since their summer additions, and there may not be a better time for the academy product to be given his chance.
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