Chelsea will be without striker Nicolas Jackson until the end of March due to a hamstring injury, leaving them short of attacking options with back-up Marc Guiu also absent.
Jackson sustained the problem in the home win over West Ham on February 3 and is not expected back until after the next international break, which ends on March 25.
Guiu limped off in the same game and will be missing for a “little while”, according to boss Enzo Maresca.
The pair were unavailable for last weekend’s FA Cup tie at Brighton with winger Christopher Nkunku utilised in a false nine role and that tactic could be repeated when Chelsea visit the Amex again in the league tomorrow night.
Brighton (A) in the Premier League. 🔜 pic.twitter.com/rxe5HkxUWI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 12, 2025
Maresca said today: “Nico is injured and will be out until the international break. Probably he will be back after the international break.
“We knew he had a muscular problem but not how important [significant] it was at that stage. His reaction was good, so we didn’t think it was going to be a big injury.
“Unfortunately, he had a scan which has shown the injury, and he will be out for six to eight weeks.
“Marc Guiu will also be out for a while. He has a muscle problem, a hamstring issue as well, and will be out for a little while.”
Nkunku not the only solution
Asked whether Nkunku is the natural replacement, he added: “Christoph could be one of the solutions but he’s not the only solution. I consider Christoph a very important player. He can try to help us.
“We are trying to find different solutions, can be Christoph or a different kind of player. When you don’t have a proper nine who can be a threat always you have to change. Pedro [Neto], Noni [Madueke] or even Tyrique [George] can try and maybe be the solution. Jadon [Sancho] maybe with different skills.”
Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile are also out until the end of next month but captain Reece James is fit and available for the trip to the south coast where Maresca will hope Chelsea can gain revenge for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat.
He said: “In all the games they [Brighton] try to be quite aggressive. I expect a very similar game. It’s fresh in your mind the way they attack and defend. You know what they do and try to do. It’s probably better to face them immediately.”
This season has ben a ‘fantastic journey’ – Maresca
Chelsea’s form has dipped of late and they have won just three of their last 10 games in all competitions.
They are fourth in the Premier League and that in itself is a sign of progress, according to former Leicester boss Maresca.
“Our journey in the Premier League and Conference League has been fantastic,” he said.
“We will try and finish in the best way we can. Don’t forget in the last two years Chelsea have not been top four and this season all the time in the top four. This shows everyone we are in the right direction. This club belongs in the Champions League.”