Chelsea have suffered a significant blow with Nicolas Jackson’s injury worse than first feared, leaving Enzo Maresca without a recognised striker in his senior squad.
Maresca originally reported that Jackson’s hamstring issue did not appear a troublesome one, even suggesting they hoped to have him back for their Premier League trip to Brighton on Friday.
Christopher Nkunku filled in as a striker in their FA Cup loss to the Seagulls last weekend, with Maresca now set to choose between using him and Cole Palmer as a false nine.
The 23-year-old was injured in the Blues' win over West Ham, with subsequent tests revealing he will be out for at least a month.
As well as Jackson, Reece James has not been pictured in training at Cobham, though Maresca claimed his absence in their last trip to Brighton was pre-planned.
