Nkunku, Gusto, & Colwill: Chelsea injury list & expected return dates ahead of Burnley clash

Chelsea will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five Premier League matches when they face Burnley on Saturday afternoon. The Blues are currently 11th in the table, but boast at least one game in hand on many of the sides around them.

For their part, the Clarets are currently 19th in the table, three points off the bottom and five points from safety. They are, however, unbeaten in their last two outings, and ran out 2-1 winners over Brentford just prior to the international break.

But how will Chelsea line up against Vincent Kompany's men this weekend? We've taken a closer look at their current injury list, as well as any potential return dates where available, below...

Wesley Fofana

Fofana has been plagued by injuries since joining Chelsea, and is currently sidelined with a serious knee injury. Speaking recently, Mauricio Pochettino gave a fairly pessimistic assessment of his likely return date, stating: 'Unfortunately, I think it is difficult to see Wes playing this season, but you never know.'

Reece James

Another who has been blighted by injury, James is suffering from a thigh complaint, and is unlikely to make his comeback before April. The hope will be that he is able to get a decent run of matches in prior to Euro 2024 to give him the best possible chance of making Gareth Southgate's squad.

Romeo Lavia

Lavia has registered just a handful of minutes in a Chelsea shirt since completing a big money move from Southampton last summer, and he continues to be consigned to the treatment table as a consequence of a thigh issue. There are no indications just yet as to when he will be available again, although Saturday's match is not entirely ruled out at this stage.

Christopher Nkunku

At the beginning of March, Pochettino claimed that it would be 'a few weeks' before Nkunku would be fit again following a hamstring problem. Saturday's meeting with Burnley is, therefore a possibility, but may ultimately come too soon for the forward.

Levi Colwill

The defender is currently working his way back from a toe injury that he sustained during a 2-2 draw with Brentford at the beginning of the month. Addressing the problem, Pochettino said: 'We only found out after the [Brentford] game. We finished with two players who then couldn't train. Levi's problem is his toe.'

Malo Gusto

Gusto has been a vital presence for Chelsea this season in the absence of the frequently-injured James, but the Frenchman has been struggling with a virus of late, and could be a doubt for Saturday's game with Burnley. The expectation is that he will be well enough to feature, but is likely to face a late assessment.

Carney Chukwuemeka

The midfielder returned from international duty with England U21s early so that he could work on his fitness, and like Gusto, will face a late test before a decision is made on his inclusion at the weekend.

Lesley Ugochukwu

And finally, Ugochukwu rounds out Chelsea's injury troubles with a hamstring strain. At this stage, there are no concrete indications as to when he will return to action.