Chelsea's season is still alive and well going into this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final game against Championship side Leicester City. The Blues go into this one on the back of a morale-boosting win against Newcastle United in the league on Monday night.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted his Chelsea team is different to the one which won the Champions League in 2021 but has vowed to improve the team and return to where it belongs.
Progress though has been minimal, one of the reasons for the slow growth has been injuries to key players. Reece James who is the club's captain hasn't kicked a ball all year and his assistant Ben Chilwell hasn't managed five straight games all season without breaking down.
There is truth in the statement that no manager can get his team to be continually great without the core of his first team players. But ahead of this weekend's FA Cup tie, Pochettino is aware excuses will not be entertained from a fanbase that have already shown their displeasure recently, including singing for former manager Jose Mourinho while Chelsea chased a game at Brentford.
Leicester will have bigger fish to fry in the Championship, and Chelsea manager Pochettino knows that he will buy himself time to build the project he's been keen to speak about if he can triumph in the FA Cup.
To do that, he will need some of his big-name players back, so below is the list of all the injured players and their potential return dates.
1. Wesley Fofana
Still unlikely to play this season after suffering a relapse in his recovery. Potential return: 15 August 2024
2. Reece James
Making progress slowly and has been seen at Cobham on the grass. Late April is his potential return date.
3. Romeo Lavia
Still struggling from the injury he picked up against Crystal Palace on his debut.
4. Christopher Nkunku
He's been unlucky with injuries all season. Potential return date: March 30 vs Burnley