Chelsea team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Brentford

Chelsea will be looking to climb into the top half of the Premier League table when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face West London rivals Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

After suffering a heartbreaking extra-time defeat in the EFL Cup final to Liverpool, the Blues returned to winning ways when they beat a spirited Leeds United side 3-2 at Stamford Bridge to secure their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Mauricio Pochettino's men now shift their focus back to the Premier League as they endeavour to move closer to the top seven and boost their European qualification hopes.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with Thomas Frank's side.

Thiago Silva

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Groin Possible return date: March 2 (vs. Brentford)

Thiago Silva has missed the last three games with a groin injury sustained against Crystal Palace on February 12. Pochettino has since revealed that there is a "possibility" the Brazilian will return to the matchday squad on Saturday.

Marc Cucurella

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Ankle Possible return date: March 2 (vs. Brentford)

Like Thiago Silva, Pochettino has stated that there is a "possibility" Marc Cucurella could return against Brentford; the left-back last played for Chelsea in an away victory over Everton in early December in which he sustained an ankle injury that required surgery.

Christopher Nkunku

Status: Out Type of injury: Unspecified Possible return date: March 30 (vs. Burnley)

Christopher Nkunku, who has been troubled with injuries throughout his debut campaign at Chelsea, has been ruled out for up to four weeks with an unspecified issue.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Status: Out Type of injury: Ankle Possible return date: March 11 (vs. Newcastle)

Carney Chukwuemeka twisted his ankle during training earlier this month and has subsequently missed the last three games. As things stand, it appears unlikely that the midfielder will be ready to return for Saturday's contest.

Benoit Badiashile

Status: Out Type of injury: Groin Possible return date: March 11 (vs. Newcastle)

Benoit Badiashile is nursing a groin problem and has subsequently missed the last four matches, but the Frenchman could be in a position to return to action later this month.

Wesley Fofana

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Wesley Fofana is yet to make a single appearance for Chelsea this season due to a long-term knee injury and the defender is facing a race against time to return before the end of the campaign.

Reece James

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: Unknown

Reece James underwent hamstring surgery just before Christmas and it remains to be seen whether the Chelsea captain will recover before the end of the season.

Lesley Ugochukwu

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: Unknown

Lesley Ugochukwu sustained a hamstring injury in the loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve and there is currently no timescale on his potential return.

Romeo Lavia

Status: Out Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: Unknown

Romeo Lavia, who has made just one substitute appearance since joining Chelsea last summer, is still recovering from a thigh injury that has kept him in the treatment room since the end of last year, and there is currently no timescale on his potential return.

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Chelsea have no suspended players for this match.