Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Wesley Fofana is targeting a quicker return from a hamstring injury than predicted.
Having missed the entirety of last season with a serious knee injury, Fofana impressed during the opening three-and-a-half months of this campaign.
However, on his 12th Premier League start against Aston Villa on December 1, the France international sustained an issue with his hamstring that was initially expected to keep him sidelined for a month.
Instead, the centre-back is not close to returning to action, Maresca suggesting last week that he could be absent for the rest of 2024-25.
Fofana quickly rejected that claim, insisting that he hoped to be back in action in March and questioned why Maresca had indicated that it would be a longer timeframe.
'There is no problem'
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Maresca was naturally quizzed on the situation, the Italian revealing that he was told that Fofana would be absent for between 12 and 16 weeks.
He told reporters: "We speak the same language in terms of we communicate between each other in English and in French, so it has been quite clear.
"I spoke with Wes - the 12 to 16 weeks the club mentioned is the situation. Wes is thinking he can recover sooner than that. We are all happy if Wes' recovers [quicker] and will be available for tomorrow, but we are going to see.
"There is not any problem, I just told you what the medical staff said to me, that it is around 12 and 16 weeks. Wes is thinking he can recover earlier than that. We are all happy if Wes is back as soon as possible."
How are Chelsea reacting to Fofana injury?
Aaron Anselmino has already been recalled from a loan period at Boca Juniors with the view of the young Argentine eventually being considered for a first-team role.
However, Maresca added in Friday's media briefing that the 19-year-old would not be available for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie with Morecambe.
Chelsea are currently considering whether they will recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell with Crystal Palace or make a bid for fellow Eagles player Marc Guehi.
Speaking in the same press conference, Maresca hinted that both options are currently being considered.
Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga are all options to start versus the League Two outfit on Saturday.
