Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this weekend with several players sidelined after sustaining a raft of injuries recently
Maxence Lacroix of Chelsea walks off the pitch after sustaining an injury during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield
Maxence Lacroix is Chelsea's latest injury absentee
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Chelsea will be without several players due to injury when hosting Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
The Blues did not come through their Carabao Cup fourth-round exit to Liverpool unscathed, with multiple squad members sustaining problems on Merseyside. Just three days separating Wednesday's midweek match and Saturday's early kick-off time will have hardly helped matters either.
Despite playing just four times since this season's international break, the injury issues are showing no signs of easing. Xabi Alonso spoke about the situation in his press conference ahead of this weekend's match, with updates shared on six players.
Aaron Anselmino
After not featuring in a matchday squad for over two months now since the Carabao Cup second-round tie with Luton Town, Alonso said of Anselmino: "He's not available yet; he's had a few injuries. It will take a few weeks until he is fully fit."
Potential return date: Leeds United (H) November 21
Emiliano Martinez
A broken jaw continues to keep Martinez out, but Alonso has acknowledged that there is a chance the goalkeeper could be back before the international break. He said: said: "Yes, there is a chance. We still need to wait for next week, but let's see how things go; there is a chance."
Potential return date: Sunderland (A) November 8
Emiliano Martinez receiving medical treatment
Emiliano Martinez had jaw surgery following a brutal collision with Jarrad Branthwaite(Image: (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images))
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Jorrel Hato
Marco Palestra replaced Hato midway through the second half of last weekend's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and was not involved at Anfield. Alonso has now acknowledged that he will not be available for the Man United game either.
Potential return date: Sunderland (A) November 8
Maxence Lacroix
A hamstring problem sustained in midweek will keep Lacroix out of the clash against Manchester United, Alonso has acknowledged, saying: "Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he's not going to be ready before the international break. So he will be out for a few weeks." However, football.london understands there are fears he could be out for the rest of the year.
Potential return date: December/January
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Moises Caicedo
After bringing Caicedo off midway through the second half against Liverpool, Alonso explained that the midfielder had a "little problem". However, that will seemingly not prevent him from playing this weekend, with Alonso saying on Friday: "No, no issue, he's OK for tomorrow."
Return date: Man United (H) October 31
Pep Chavarria
A three-week absence has followed Chavarria picking up a little problem in training the day before Chelsea played Everton. However, he is now available once again, with Alonso saying: "Pep Chavarria is back in the squad."
Return date: Man United (H) October 31