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Chelsea Football Newsletter
Chelsea will hope to end a run of six Premier League defeats in a row when they face Liverpool this weekend.
While the Blues have reached the FA Cup final, their league form plunged to a new low after losing at home to a heavily rotated Nottingham Forest side that had one eye on a Europa League semi-final second leg.
That result leaves Chelsea in ninth and unable to seal a top-five finish. Champions League qualification is not completely out of the question though, but they will almost certainly need a favour from Aston Villa and to win their remaining league games.
The 3-1 loss to Forest was somewhat overshadowed by head injuries sustained by Robert Sanchez and youngster Jesse Derry - on his full Premier League debut - causing both players to be substituted over the course of the game.
Derry was stretchered off in first half stoppage time after a nasty collision with Forest’s Zach Abbott and, thankfully, the teenager is conscious and was talking after being rushed to hospital.
On a more positive note, Levi Colwill made his return from injury to play the entire second half and Filip Jorgensen replaced Sanchez shortly after the hour mark for his first appearance since March 11.
Robert Sanchez
Sanchez was replaced by Jorgensen just after the hour mark at Stamford Bridge after a clash with Morgan Gibbs-White - who was also taken off after receiving treatment.
The blow had placed the goalkeeper's involvement against Liverpool in doubt amid fears he suffered a concussion.
While it has since been revealed that Sanchez's substitution was not pertained to Premier League concussion protocols, Standard Sport understands Sanchez will still have to undergo checks at certain intervals in the coming days as Chelsea follow FA ‘return to play guidelines’ before passing him fit for the league game against Liverpool.
Chelsea must await the results of those concussion protocol assessments with club medical staff at Cobham before learning whether he can face Liverpool.
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Potential return date: Unknown
Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto was a surprise absentee from the Chelsea matchday squad against Forest, especially after claiming the assist in the FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds.
Standard Sport understands the Portugal international missed out with a knock picked up prior to the Premier League fixture, though is not expected to be sidelined for too long.
Potential return date: Saturday, May 9, vs Liverpool (A)
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho was also unavailable for selection against Forest with McFarlane issuing an update on the Argentine and Neto ahead of kick-off.
“It’s nothing serious,” the Chelsea head coach revealed. “They both took knocks in training, so we’re just managing that.”
Like Neto, Garnacho is expected to recover in time for the trip to Anfield.
Potential return date: Saturday, May 9, vs Liverpool (A)
Estevao
Estevao tweaked his hamstring while through on goal in the first half against Manchester United and needed to be substituted in the 15th minute.
The Brazilian, who had only recently returned from an injury lay-off, headed straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Alejandro Garnacho and was in tears at half-time.
Estevao has since been ruled out for the remainder of the season and there are fears that he will also miss this summer’s World Cup.
Speaking to reporters, McFarlane said: "Estevao unfortunately won't play for us this season. He’ll be out for a little bit of time. But we’re here to support him.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Reece James
Reece James sustained a hamstring injury in the Premier League defeat by Newcastle on March 17 and subsequently missed the next seven games in all competitions as well as both England matches during the March international break.
The good news is that the Chelsea captain is fit again having resumed full training ahead of the Nottingham Forest fixture.
However, he was an unused substitute in west London but may get some minutes against Liverpool this weekend to build up his match sharpness ahead of the FA Cup final.
Potential return date: Saturday, May 9, vs Liverpool (A)
Jamie Gittens
Jamie Gittens suffered a hamstring injury during a rare start for Chelsea at home to West Ham on January 31.
The winger initially ruled out for around six weeks, with a return to action against Newcastle on March 17 pencilled in until he suffered a setback in his recovery.
The 21-year-old is yet to resume full training and former head coach Liam Rosenior raised doubts as to whether the former Borussia Dortmund forward will play again this season.
“I can't give you a definitive answer on that,” Rosenior said. “Jamie actually has responded really well to his last setback, but I don't want to put pressure on him.
“We need to make sure he's right in the long term.”
Potential return date: Unknown