Graham Potter has suggested that Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic will be sidelined until March with a knee injury.
The population of the treatment room at Stamford Bridge reached double figures last week as Edouard Mendy, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Pulisic all sustained issues within days of each other.
While Mount overcame a knock to feature against Manchester City at the weekend, the other three players have a fractured finger, hamstring problem and knee injury respectively.
The trio remain alongside an array of other squad members who are attempting to make their comebacks as soon as possible, but it appears that Pulisic has joined the long-term absentees.
The USA international "opened up his knee" in a challenge with John Stones on January 5, seemingly resulting in the playmaker being ruled out until at least March.
Sterling also remains out of contention for Thursday's Premier League fixture with Fulham, although it appears that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could play some part in the squad after a back niggle.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Potter said: "Pierre is fine and he'll be in the squad for the game. Christian is a couple of months we think, hopefully, less, but that's the timeframe.
"Raheem less but we're still evaluating the extent of it. Hopefully less than that, though."
Potter spoke more positively about some of the other injured crop, with Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek seemingly the next in line to push for a place in the squad.
The Englishman added: "They're making progress. Ruben is getting closer, Ben is getting closer. Reece [James] was out on the grass today, not training with the team but on his own.
"N'Golo [Kante] did his first couple of days out training on his own but there is still a long, long way to go. But it felt more positive. To see the guys out there, it gives everyone a lift."
Chelsea hope to have one more player available on Thursday having announced that they have completed the loan signing of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.
Benoit Badiashile is also in contention to make his debut after signing from Monaco, while fellow new arrivals Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana may also be considered for a place on the substitutes' bench. body check tags ::
