Both Chelsea and Manchester United could be without a host of key players for their Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge this weekend
Both Chelsea and Manchester United will be missing several key players for this weekend's Premier League clash. The Blues head into the match desperate to bounce back after their 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City last weekend.
Liam Rosenior's side currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, four points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
United go into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Leeds on Monday night, a result which meant they missed the opportunity of going 10 points clear of Chelsea in the table, a position that would have all-but ensured Champions League qualification for next season with just six games remaining.
Chelsea were already without several players during their loss to City at the weekend, and that situation is expected to remain unchanged when they welcome the Red Devils to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Reece James continues to be a doubt for Chelsea, with a hamstring injury having kept the club captain sidelined for the past four matches across all competitions, including the last two Premier League outings.
Trevoh Chalobah is moving closer to a comeback after picking up an ankle injury last month, with Rosenior giving an update on the pair ahead of the weekend fixture, reports football.london.
"Trevoh trained today, not quite fully, modified and we'll make a decision on him but he's very, very close. Reece is a little bit further away," Rosenior said.
Enzo Fernandez is also in the frame to return to the squad, with Rosenior providing an insight on the midfielder's availability after he was dropped for the defeat to City.
"It's crazy to say what the starting XI will be two days before a very big game," he said. "Enzo [Fernandez] has been training with the group, he's been training very, very well and it's just business as usual in terms of the selection for the game."
Jamie Gittens and Filip Jorgensen are also expected to miss Chelsea's match with United.
Levi Colwill will likewise be sidelined, though Rosenior expressed his hope that the defender will make a significant step forward in his recovery from an ACL injury.
"I think Levi will play some minutes for the Under-21s tomorrow, which is fantastic for him," the Chelsea boss said.
"When you have a long-term injury, such as the extent of Levi's injury, you need a long rehab period. I want to make sure that he's 100% right in terms of his match fitness before we consider him for selection for our first team."
United will also be without a number of key players for their match with Chelsea this weekend.
Matthijs de Ligt continues to be ruled out with a back injury, while Patrick Dorgu is still working his way back from a muscle injury that has kept him out of action since January.
Lisandro Martinez is set to be suspended following his red card against Leeds United on Monday evening, with Harry Maguire also remaining unavailable due to suspension.
Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a fitness doubt for United after his absence for the defeat to Leeds, with reports at the time suggesting the problem was not a major one. Nevertheless, it is yet to be confirmed whether the midfielder will be fit enough to return for the clash against Chelsea.