Chelsea and Sunderland face significant selection problems before Sunday's Premier League match. Chelsea are fourth after beating Manchester United, three points behind third-placed Brighton. Sunderland, by contrast, are bottom with five points from nine games.
The hosts will definitely be without Romain Mundle, who is recovering from a knee injury and is out until the new year, the suspended Omar Alderete and Dan Ballard, who has been sidelined since early October with a hamstring injury. Habib Diarra will also miss around six weeks. Regis Le Bris explained:
Yes, the initial assessment is around six weeks. It is very frustrating because he keeps coming back and then being sidelined again, and he cannot build up his fitness and match rhythm. We need to understand the nature of the injury, identify its causes and prepare him for his next return.
Nordi Mukiele Mulere's involvement remains in doubt because of the concussion recovery protocol. Juan Riquelme is also awaiting a medical assessment. Le Bris previously said:
Juan took a knock at the end of the first half of the under-21s' match against Newcastle, so he was unavailable.
Chelsea will definitely be without Reece James, who has undergone a knee procedure and is out until the new year, and Jamie Gittens, who is continuing his recovery from an ankle injury.
Joao Pedro will not return before the international break. Xabi Alonso previously explained:
He has a thigh injury and will miss a few weeks. We will see exactly how long. We do not want to make predictions, but he will not be ready for the upcoming matches.
Maxence Lacroix will also remain out. Alonso confirmed:
We expect that he will not be ready before the international break, so he will miss a few weeks.
Emiliano Martinez could, however, recover in time. The Chelsea manager previously said:
Yes, there is a chance he will return before the break. We still need to wait until next week and see how things develop. But there is a possibility.
Martinez has been called up by Argentina, which could indicate that his return is close. Jorrel Hato also has a chance of playing against Sunderland, while Jordan Henderson's involvement remains in doubt.
