Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson will reportedly miss around six weeks of action due to a hamstring injury.
Senegal international Jackson has been Chelsea's main centre-forward under Enzo Maresca, having started 22 of his 23 Premier League matches this season.
The 23-year-old has scored nine goals and provided five assists across those appearances, although he has failed to find the net in Chelsea's last eight top-flight games.
Despite experiencing a dip in form, Jackson remains an important figure in the Chelsea side because he offers a focal point for other attackers to thrive and partly because there are lack of viable alternative options at the club.
Jackson was a notable absentee for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Chelsea learn extent of Jackson injury
The striker missed the defeat with a hamstring issue that he picked up against West Ham United, although Maresca appeared confident that it was nothing too serious.
However, according to BBC Sport, Jackson is now expected to miss around six weeks of action after scans revealed the injury was worse than originally feared.
As a result, the former Villarreal man is unlikely to be available for selection until after the March international break.
The news of Jackson's injury leaves Chelsea without a natural centre-forward after Marc Guiu recently sustained a groin problem.
Maresca previously revealed that the Spain Under-19 international suffered a "bad injury" which is set to keep him out for an extended period.
Chelsea dealt blow in Champions League pursuit
Having been ruled out until the international break, Jackson is set to miss Chelsea's next Premier League matches, including Friday's away clash against Brighton, with the Blues seeking revenge for their FA Cup exit.
Jackson will then sit out an away game against Aston Villa as well as home meetings with relegation candidates Southampton and Leicester City.
Critically, he is also expected to be absent for Chelsea's mammoth clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on March 15.
All being well, Jackson should return to action in time for another London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on April 2.
However, the lack of a natural number nine for the foreseeable future could harm Chelsea's hopes of securing Champions League qualification.
The Blues are currently sitting in fourth position, but there are just two points separating them from Manchester City and Newcastle United in fifth and sixth place respectively.
Maresca will have to find a way to successfully negotiate Jackson's absence, with Christopher Nkunku the obvious candidate to operate as a central striker for the time being.
There is also an option for Cole Palmer to feature as a false nine, but Maresca may be reluctant to make alterations to the 22-year-old's current position due to the positive influence that he usually has on matches. body check tags ::
