helsea have welcomed several players back in training ahead of the trip to West Ham, but have potentially lost Raheem Sterling to another injury.
The England international took a kick in training and is now a doubt to play at the London Stadium on Saturday.
At the height of an injury crisis, the Blues had 12 players out during a prolonged spell of poor fitness in Graham Potter’s squad, one that lasted over three months.
However, Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria all returned to training this week but are unlikely to face against the Hammers, while Joao Felix is back from a three-match suspension and could start. Reece James and Ben Chilwell also returned last week.
The Blues now have four other players left out injured and one on international duty.
Christian Pulisic is still overcoming a knee injury but is optimistic about returning soon, N’Golo Kante is doing solo work on grass in his recovery from hamstring surgery, while Edouard Mendy remains out with a broken finger.
Armando Broja could also be out for the season after tearing his cruciate ligament and Andrey Santos, who has yet to receive a work permit, is also on international duty with Brazil’s Under-20s team.
It leaves Potter with a selection headache and 28 players to choose from.
Four further players could be left out of the 20-man squad travelling to east London after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ruben Loftus-Cheek missed out a week ago against Fulham.
Potter is likely to pick a similar team to the one that drew with Marco Silva’s side, but he is also known to sometimes spring tactical surprises. One of Felix or Noni Madueke could take Hakim Ziyech’s spot.
Fellow new signings Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile are all likely to continue from the start.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; James, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Gallagher, Enzo; Mount, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz
Date and time: Saturday 11 February at 12.30pm GMT
Venue: London Stadium
TV channel and live stream: BT Sport
Referee: Craig Pawson, Neil Swarbrick (VAR)
