Chelsea’s injury crisis in attack has intensified ahead of their Premier League trip to Brighton, with Nicolas Jackson ruled out until after the March international break.
With Marc Guiu already sidelined, Enzo Maresca had hoped to have Jackson back for the trip to the Amex.
But scans this week revealed his hamstring injury is worse than first feared.
It means that Christopher Nkunku is again likely to lead the line, despite an underwhelming performance when the Blues crashed out of the FA Cup against the same opponents last weekend.
In better news for Chelsea, Maresca has confirmed that Reece James is fit and available having been rested for that fourth-round tie.
Filip Jorgensen is set to return in goal in place of Robert Sanchez, after Maresca confirmed the 22-year-old is now his first-choice ‘keeper in the league.
Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile all remain long-term absentees, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test.
Chelsea predicted XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Nkunku
Time and date: 8pm GMT Friday, February 14, 2025
Venue: Amex Stadium
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports
