Chelsea injury updated and predicted return dates for Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and three others

Chelsea are finally able to enjoy a full week's break after a hectic festive fixture schedule with Enzo Maresca given a luxurious amount of time to prepare for the upcoming FA Cup clash with Morecambe.

There'll no doubt be plenty of changes in the Blues squad ahead of welcoming the underdogs to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Morecambe play their football in League Two and currently sit 23rd in the table after a tricky start to the season.

Chelsea are then back in Premier League action with the midweek visit of Bournemouth before then hosting Wolves later on in January. An enticing trip to Manchester City then closes the month.

Maresca will hope to have some first team stars back from injury over the next period of games, but it's looking like longer lay-offs for others. LondonWorld has your injury update.

Chelsea setback in Fofana injury progress

Wesley Fofana

The centre-back had been a mainstay in the Maresca starting XI before suffering a thigh injury against Aston Villa in the 3-0 victory at the start of December. The Chelsea boss has confirmed that the problem is serious and that Fofana could miss the rest of the 2024/25 season as a result, but a return this campaign has not been ruled out.

Potential return date: May 2025

Benoit Badiashile

Has only played a bit part when fit this season but certainly won't be involved for the rest of January. Badiashile is another with a thigh problem and hasn't played since the 4-3 win over Spurs last month. Maresca has a February return in mind for the player.

Potential return date: Chelsea vs West Ham, Saturday, January 3.

Romeo Lavia

The midfielder has been nursing a hamstring injury and missed the last five top flight outings. Maresca has hinted at a return sooner rather than later, teasing a comeback in the 'next game' following the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last time out.

Potential return date: Chelsea vs Morecambe, Saturday, January 11.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Enzo Maresca has been tight-lipped on the former Leicester City man's injury with question marks over his future at the club this transfer window. Dewsbury-Hall was last an unused substitute against Brentford last month but hasn't been in a matchday squad since. Maresca has confirmed that is not a tactical decision and is as a result of injury.

Potential return date: Unknown.

Chelsea statement on Mudryk suspension

Mykhailo Mudryk

The winger is not injured but provisionally suspended by the FA after failing a drugs test. That ruling came through in mid December. Chelsea have launched their own investigation and said the 23-year-old insists he "has never knowingly used any banned substances".

Chelsea's statement read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test. Both the club and Mykhailo fully support The FA's testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested.

"Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding. The club will not be commenting any further."

Potential return date: Unknown.