Chelsea will look to return to winning ways on Boxing Day when they welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge. The Blues' eight-game winning streak ended over the weekend with a goalless draw at Everton as the gap at the top of the Premier League widened.
Enzo Maresca's men are now four points behind Liverpool after 17 games although Arne Slot's men have a game in hand. Before the turn of the year, Chelsea take on Fulham and Ipswich Town with the possibility of keeping the heat on the league leaders.
"We said many times that we are ahead of our expectations," Maresca said. "The way we are playing, in terms of points, but the main focus for us is always how we can improve the players and improve game by game."
Here, football.london takes a look at the latest injury news from Stamford Bridge..
Wesley Fofana
Injury: Hamstring.
Fofana has not featured for Chelsea since the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in early December. Initially, he looked set for a short absence but Maresca has since confirmed that is not the case
What Maresca has said: "Both [Fofana and Badiashile] are still out and will still be out for a long period."
Possible return date: Unknown.
Romeo Lavia
Injury: Hamstring.
Lavia has been plagued by injuries during his Chelsea career and has not been able to play since coming off at half time against Tottenham a few weeks ago.
Maresca confirmed ahead of Fulham that the midfielder won't be fit for the game against Chelsea.
What Maresca has said: "Romeo is still recovering, he's much much better, but unfortunately not ready."
Possible return date: Ipswich (A) - Monday, December 30.
Reece James
Injury: Hamstring.
James has taken a significant step towards returning from his latest injury but the Blues are unsurprisingly expected to take extreme caution when it comes to managing his comeback.
What Maresca has said: "He will start with us for part of the session. So slowly, slowly, he is moving forward. That doesn’t mean he will be with us on Sunday or next Sunday. Tomorrow, part of the session will be with him managed then it’s building the right condition for him.'
Possible return date: Late January.
Mykhailo Mudryk
Injury: N/A.
On Tuesday, December 17 both Chelsea and Mudryk put out a statement confirming there had been an "adverse finding in a routine urine test". The club have urged they are fully behind the player while Mudryk is currently working on appealing the failed drugs test.
What Maresca has said: "I think the situation is now a bit more clear in terms of we have a statement from the club and the club already said what we need to say. So there is not anything to add except that the club, the coaching staff and all the people that are inside the training ground we support and we trust Misha."
Possible return date: Unknown.
Benoit Badiashile
Injury: Unknown.
Benoit Badiashile picked up an injury in training earlier this month which looks set to keep him out for a while.
What Maresca has said: "Both [Fofana and Badiashile] are still out and will still be out for a long period."
Possible return date: Unknown.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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