Chelsea injury news ahead FA Cup clash against League Two Morecambe FC

Chelsea welcome League Two side Morecambe to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon as they aim to get their first win in four matches in all competitions.

Maresca’s side now sit fourth in the Premier League table, after they drew 1-1 against Crystal Palace in their last match. They took the lead through Cole Palmer after 14 minutes, before Jean-Phillipe Mateta scored an equaliser in the 82nd minute. They welcome a Morecambe side, who sit 23rd in League Two, currently five points off safety after 24 matches.

It will be a huge occasion for the Shrimps, who played against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup in January 2021, when the Blues won 4-0 under manager Frank Lampard.

Morecambe manager Derek Adams said in his pre-match press conference: “The players have been excited for a number of weeks. It’s great for the supporters, it’s great for the players and staff...It’s something we’re all looking forward to.”

Chelsea could be missing up to five players for the game on Saturday due to injury, with three being ruled out so far.

Chelsea injury news

Wesley Fofana

Fofana will miss the game, and the remainder of the season, due to a hamstring injury that he suffered during Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Aston Villa at the start of December. Maresca said at the beginning of January: “With Wes, we don’t know exactly how long he could be out for, but he has a hamstring injury, and unfortunately, we are going to lose him for a while. He could be out for the season, yes.”

Benoit Badiashile

Centre-back Badiashile is also expected to miss the FA Cup match this weekend, as he is dealing with a hamstring injury. It is expected to keep the Frenchman out until February, meaning that he could miss big fixtures against the likes of Bournemouth and Manchester City, which both come this month. As things stand, Badiashile isn’t expected to return until mid-February, which could be a big issue for Maresca, who is running thin at the centre-back position.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Former Leicester man Dewsbury-Hall is also set to miss the game against Morecambe. Reports have suggested that the midfielder is set for a January loan move away, with West Ham said to be keen to sign him. Maresca said at the start of January: “Kiernan is still out.” There has been no further update on the 26-year-old.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Much like Dewsbury-Hall, Chukwuemeka has been linked with a loan move to West Ham in recent days, but there is a chance that he could feature against Morecambe. The midfielder is currently being assessed over an illness that he has been suffering from in recent weeks. If deemed fit, he could come in to what will likely be a rotated Chelsea squad against the League Two side.

Romeo Lavia

The biggest piece of injury news for Chelsea is that midfielder Romeo Lavia could be set for a return. He has been out with a hamstring injury, and was back in training at the start of the month. Maresca said: “Romeo is very close, and he has started to work with us. There is no doubt when Romeo is fit, he is a top player, we need to just understand how we can help him to not get injured.”

He is currently being assessed ahead of the Morecambe fixture, but if he isn’t ready, would expect to be involved in their next game against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

Chelsea players out - Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; Chelsea players in doubt - Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia