Thiago Silva will not return for Chelsea in Thursday’s Premier League showdown with Liverpool, while Tammy Abraham is struggling with an ankle issue.
However, Callum Hudson-Odoi has no fitness problems and is available for the trip to Anfield, manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed in Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.
“Callum’s no issue at all, he was training fully with the team yesterday,” Tuchel said.
“Thiago made his first training with the team, but did not finish the last exercise – not of any pain or anything, just to be aware of not taking a risk.
“I assume he is in training today but he is not at 100 per cent, so he will not join the squad for Liverpool. Tammy had some problems yesterday on the ankle again, so let’s see how this works out.”
Veteran defender Silva has not featured for Chelsea since sustaining a thigh injury in their 1-0 win over London rivals Tottenham on February 4.
The Brazilian international began individual work back at Cobham ahead of the 1-1 draw at Southampton last month, but, having already sat out matches against Sheffield United, Barnsley and Newcastle, did not play at St Mary’s.
Silva was similarly not risked for the Champions League last-16 first-leg win over Atletico Madrid in Bucharest, while he was also ruled out of Sunday’s goalless draw against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
A resumption of team training this week had raised hopes of a potential return on Merseyside on Thursday, but the 36-year-old missed the final exercise and will play no part against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Abraham was a surprise omission from the squad to face United on Sunday after also being left on the bench against Atletico and substituted at half-time in the draw at Southampton, with Tuchel later insisting that was a selection decision and that it was a “difficult” choice to leave him out.
Abraham did suffer an ankle injury during the 2-0 win over Newcastle on February 15 and now looks to be struggling again ahead of the trip to Liverpool.
Hudson-Odoi - taken off just half an hour after coming on at Southampton before starting against Atletico - was substituted at half-time against United last time out, with Tuchel explaining after the stalemate that the reason for his early withdrawal was due to a combination of a knock and a tactical switch to a back five.