Chelsea handed further injury concern after key duo ruled out of Sunderland test

Chelsea have been handed another major injury concern ahead of their visit to Premier League rivals Sunderland.

The Blues are already expected to be without former Brighton and Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro and France international defender Maxence Lacroix as they continue their recovery from hamstring injuries. Sunday’s meeting at the Stadium of Light will come too soon for the duo after Xabi Alonso revealed he was not expecting either player to be available for the trip to Wearside.

However, there was a further worry for the Spaniard after he revealed £115m midfielder Moises Caicedo is struggling with a calf injury that means he is a major doubt for the game. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Alonso said: “He [Caicedo] had little problems after the last game, so will check tomorrow different situations and Moi is one of them. It’s a discomfort, more than the (previous injury in his) calf.” When asked about Joao Pedro and Lacroix, the former Real Madrid head coach replied: “No, not really any update but we are not expecting them for tomorrow that is clear. Let’s see after these two weeks of international break how their recovery is and the progress that they make. Ahead of the Leeds game, I will have more of an update.”

Final decision

The Blues boss confirmed defender Jorrel Hato’s recovery will take ‘some more weeks’ and he will not be available - but there was some positive news for Alonso after he revealed Argentina international goalkeeper Emi Martinez will train again on Saturday. However, the former Liverpool midfielder warned he will not make a decision over whether to recall the former Aston Villa stopper until the day of the game.

He said: “Tomorrow we have the last training session before Sunday, and we will decide, but he is training well. All the decisions are tough in all the positions. But it’s very good that Emi made a good effort, that he has been ahead of the plans to be part of the team and tomorrow we will check and Sunday we will make the final decision.”

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