Chelsea Women will be without Mayra Ramirez and Manaka Matsukubo for Saturday’s WSL opener against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Sonia Bompastor has confirmed both players remain unavailable as Chelsea begin a new era with all Women’s Super League home matches now being staged at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues head into the game after booking their Champions League league-phase place with a 6-2 aggregate win over Real Sociedad.
Mayra Ramirez ruled out against Aston Villa
Chelsea confirmed Ramirez will miss Saturday’s game, with Bompastor explaining the striker still needs time to rebuild after missing virtually all of last season.
Ramirez has been working her way back towards full fitness and Chelsea are taking a cautious approach.
Bompastor said the club want the Colombia international in the best possible condition before bringing her back into competitive action.
She added that Ramirez remains one of the most talented No.9s in the game and stressed the importance of having multiple attacking options over a long season.
For now, though, she will not feature against Villa.
Matsukubo still waiting for Chelsea debut
Summer signing Matsukubo will also miss the game.
The Japan international joined Chelsea during the summer but has not yet made her competitive debut.
Bompastor is nevertheless highly optimistic about what she can eventually bring to the side.
Chelsea’s head coach described Matsukubo as a creative midfielder who is extremely comfortable on the ball.
She also believes the 22-year-old can become “one of the best” players in the WSL once available.
Bompastor hopes Matsukubo will be ready soon, but Saturday comes too early.
Chelsea therefore begin their domestic campaign without two attacking options as they prepare for a landmark afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues face Aston Villa at 12.35pm on Saturday, with the game live on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
It will be Chelsea Women’s first WSL match since Stamford Bridge became their permanent league home.
Chelsea Women Champions League draw: Six opponents confirmed
Chelsea Women Champions League draw: Six opponents confirmed
Chelsea Women Champions League draw: Time, pots and possible opponents
Chelsea Women