When Chelsea plays Copenhagen in the first leg of their Conference League last-16 match on Thursday night, they will be back in action.
The Blues would have had nine days since their last game, a 4-0 Premier League victory over Southampton that boosted their spirits, when they kick off in Denmark.
But it’s unclear if any of the players in the recovery room will be able to play in the first game of the doubleheader against the Danish Superliga leaders.
Trevoh Chalobah
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Back
Return On March 6 (in contrast to Copenhagen)
Maresca ruled Chalobah out for seven to ten days after the defender suffered a back injury on February 22 against Aston Villa. As a result, it will be touch and go whether he will be available for this fixture.
Benoit Badiashile
Status: Very uncertain
Injury type: thigh
March 9 (against Leicester City) is a possible return date.
Additionally, Badiashile is getting close to making a comeback from a thigh injury that has prevented him from playing since December. There is currently a slim possibility that the Frenchman will be one of the replacements.
Romeo Lavia
status: Out.
Injury type: thigh
Return date possible: April 2 (against Tottenham Hotspur)
It is anticipated that Lavia’s most recent injury will keep him out until after the March international break. The Belgium international would have been unavailable anyhow, but he has been left out of the Conference League squad.
Nicolas Jackson
Status: Out.
Injury type: hamstring
Return date possible: April 2 (against Tottenham Hotspur)
Similarly, Jackson’s own hamstring injury, which he sustained against West Ham United on February 3, is likely to keep him out until early April.
Marc Guiu
Status: Out
Injury type: hamstring
Return date possible: April 2 (against Tottenham Hotspur)
It is anticipated that this game will be too soon for fellow striker Guiu to return after he injured his hamstring in the same game after taking Jackson’s place.
Noni Madueke
Present Status: Not in use
The injury type is hamstring
April 2 (versus Tottenham Hotspur) is a potential return date.
Madueke sustained an injury against Brighton & Hove Albion on February 14 and is expected to be sidelined until after the upcoming international break, adding to Chelsea’s list of thigh-related absences.
CHELSEA’S SUSPENSION LIST
Mykhaylo Mudryk
Possible return date: Unknown
Mykhaylo Mudryk, a Ukrainian winger, is currently serving a provisional doping ban while his case is being investigated after testing positive for meldonium.