Chelsea have been dealt another major injury blow with first choice striker Nicolas Jackson ruled out until April, talkSPORT understands.
The 23-year-old Senegal striker will be sidelined until after the March international break with a hamstring injury.
Jackson underwent a scan on Wednesday which has confirmed the striker will be ruled out until April.
He joins Marc Guiu on the injury list for Chelsea’s forwards, leaving a question mark hanging over Enzo Maresca’s squad selection.
Jackson was out for Chelsea in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend, though Maresca opted for French forward Christopher Nkunku up top.
Chelsea failed to find the net themselves, with their only goal coming from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the defeat, but the loss came amidst a scoring slump for Maresca’s side.
Jackson will be a big miss for the Blues, having scored nine goals and assisted five in the Premier League so far this season.
However, it’s understood Chelsea are relaxed on the situation despite the striker shortage with the Blues boasting a massive playing squad.
Their remaining forward options include Nkunku, who showed glimpses of his possible talent at Leipzig before moving to Chelsea, as well as wingers Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto.
Cole Palmer has even been poised to take on a new role under the injury-hit Blues.
Maresca hinted at Palmer’s potential change: “We have players. Christo [Nkunku] has played already as a nine. I had Cole [Palmer] playing as a nine in the past [in Manchester City’s youth set-up]” he explained.
Incidentally, Chelsea visit Brighton again on Friday night in the top-flight as they will look to avenge the 2-1 Cup defeat.
Maresca initially did not see Jackson’s injury as a major one after he came off during the West Ham game, but whilst on international break it has become clear that it was bigger.
After the FA Cup loss, Maresca said: “As I said a few days ago, it’s not a big injury but he needs some days off and hopefully for the next game he can be available.
Youngster Guiu had come off the bench to replace Jackson, but soon fell injured himself in an attempt to latch onto a pass.
“Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury. [It] could be [long-term]. We are still waiting but it doesn’t look a short injury. It’s a long injury. Probably weeks or months” Maresca said.
Chelsea should head to the south coast in full confidence, having lost just one of their seven Premier League away matches to the Seagulls.
The Blues then travel to Aston Villa the following week looking to catch up with third place Nottingham Forest.