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.
However, a scan on Wednesday is said to have shown he will be missing for the next month at least, as he joins his 19-year-old understudy Marc Guiu on the treatment table.
Both were injured in Chelsea’s deadline-day win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge, as the window closed without the club bringing in a new forward.
Maresca will provide an official update at his pre-Brighton press conference on Thursday morning.
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.
Chelsea have been left without a fit striker after Nicolas Jackson was ruled out following a scan
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.
Jackson is Chelsea’s second highest goalscorer in the Premier League this season with nine in 23 appearances.
