Chelsea will be without six first-team players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester United, with Xabi Alonso confirming that Maxence Lacroix has joined the injury list.
Lacroix was forced off just before half time during Chelsea's Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool, which ended in a 7-6 penalty shootout defeat. The £52million signing pulled up while tracking Cody Gakpo and was replaced by Levi Colwill, leaving the pitch clutching his hamstring.
Lacroix set for weeks out
The France international has been a regular in Alonso's starting XI since his summer move from Crystal Palace, playing the full 90 minutes in seven of Chelsea's eight Premier League games and accumulating more minutes than any other squad member.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Alonso said: 'Max picked up an injury and we expect he is not going to be ready before the international break. He will be a few weeks out.'
Alonso confirmed that Moises Caicedo will be available after a minor concern midweek, with summer signing Pep Chavarria also available. Cole Palmer is expected to return to the side after serving a one-match suspension for the red card he received against Tottenham.
Further absentees
Jorrel Hato will not be ready for the game, having been left out of the squad against Liverpool midweek. Emiliano Martinez remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on a fractured jaw, although Alonso offered hope of a return against Sunderland next week.
'There's a chance,' Alonso said when asked if the Argentina international could return before the international break. 'We still need to wait until next week but there's a chance.'
Joao Pedro is also unavailable due to the thigh injury that ruled him out of the defeat at home to Spurs last weekend. Reece James is not expected to return until early 2027 after undergoing minor knee surgery earlier this month, while Jamie Gittens is still recovering from an ankle injury.
