Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella is reportedly expected to miss around three months of action through injury.

The left-back was withdrawn in the closing stages of Chelsea's recent 2-0 defeat to Everton due to an injury issue.

Prior to Saturday's clash with Sheffield United, Chelsea released an injury update to disclose that Cucurella was "due to meet with foot and ankle specialists to decide next steps."

The 25-year-old has now confirmed, via his Instragam account, that he has undergone surgery, posting a picture of himself lying on a hospital bed with his foot in a cast.

"Time to come back stronger," Cucurella wrote on social media with a second image that showed him standing up with crutches.

After undergoing surgery to solve the issue, the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

According to the Daily Mail, the Spaniard's recovery process is expected to keep him sidelined for around three months.

Cucurella's extended absence will leave Mauricio Pochettino light in the full-back area, with Ben Chilwell and Reece James currently sidelined.

Chilwell, who has not played since September, is working his way back from a hamstring injury and is not expected to return until January.

James, meanwhile, recently suffered his second hamstring issue of the season in Chelsea's loss to Everton and is now set for an extended period in the treatment room.

Pochettino has revealed that the club will make a decision on Monday about whether James needs to undergo surgery to resolve his recurring injury issues.

Having seen his options limited, Pochettino opted to use Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill as his right and left full-backs for Saturday's 2-0 win over Sheffield United.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both got on the scoresheet to help Chelsea return to winning ways following back-to-back defeats. body check tags ::