Several key players for Chelsea are still on the mend after suffering injuries over the past two months. These players such as Nicolas Jackson have been out since early February while others like Malo Gusto have only missed the weekend’s match against Leicester City after picking up slight injuries in recent weeks.
With the second leg of the UECL Round of 16 against FC Copenhagen coming up, here is the latest injury news on these Blues.
Nicolas Jackson – Forward
Jackson has been out of commission for the Blues since picking up a muscle injury against West Ham on February 3rd. The striker’s injury has been unspecified with some suspecting that it is a hamstring and we know how tricky those can be from our experience rooting for Reece James’s health.
The Senegal international’s targeted return is after the international break and the fixture against Tottenham on April 3rd. Jackson will likely not go on international duty either which to be fair is a bit of a relief for the Blues as Senegal is scheduled to play Sudan and Togo in World Cup Qualification matches.
Marc Guiu – Forward
Guiu suffered a thigh injury in the West Ham match on February 3rd as well and after initial reports that it was a minor issue the tone changed quickly and he has missed all the matches since then. The worst part about his injury is that he is the natural replacement for Jackson and could have had a long run of matches as the starter but instead he’s in the trainer’s room.
The young forward is also possibly back in April after the international break so the hope is either he or Jackson will be fit in time for the Tottenham match. Unfortunately both are likely out for the Arsenal fixture this weekend.
Noni Madueke – Forward
Madueke has been out for the Blues since suffering a hamstring injury against Brighton on February 14. He played just 21 minutes that match before being forced off and has been on the sidelines ever since.
Similar to Jackson and Guiu, the target return for Madueke is after the international break and there is a chance that the Blues will be at full strength for that vital run of matches in April. Madueke was starting nearly every game on the right wing and losing him has been a real blow.
Malo Gusto – Defender
Gusto was forced off against FC Copenhagen in the first leg after just 25 minutes which has just been described as a “knock”. He did not feature against Leicester and was not in the matchday squad because of the injury.
However there is good news as he could possibly have played on Sunday against the Foxes if needed but Enzo Maresca took the cautious approach and rested him. He could be back against Copenhagen but with how good Wesley Fofana looked he may start the match on the bench.