Chelsea team news: Iinjury, suspension list vs. Crystal Palace

Chelsea are back in action on Wednesday evening when they play host to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The Blues, like has been a usual occurrence in 2023-24, will be looking to bounce back from a defeat having gone down 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

As well as ending that fixture remaining in 10th position in the standings, Chelsea also had a number of players added to their unavailable list for what represents another pivotal game in the context of their season.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their showdown with one of the other London outfits in the top flight.

Enzo Fernandez

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Hernia Possible return date: December 27 (vs. Crystal Palace)

Having missed the Wolves defeat with a hernia, Enzo Fernandez remains a major doubt to return to the squad for a game being played just three days later.

Ben Chilwell

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

Ben Chilwell will again be absent for this fixture, with the defender working his way back from a hamstring problem, but he is expected to return at some stage in January.

Wesley Fofana

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

Wesley Fofana underwent an operation on an ACL injury over the summer and the centre-back is not expected to be available for selection until next season.

Trevoh Chalobah

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

Trevoh Chalobah has not made a single appearance for Chelsea this term due to a thigh injury and he will again be unavailable for selection against Palace.

Carney Chukwuemeka

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

Carney Chukwuemeka is still recovering from a recurrence of a knee injury and is not expected to return until January at the earliest.

Lesley Ugochukwu

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

Although Lesley Ugochukwu made his return from a muscle injury against Wolves, the midfielder was forced off in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, and will not be contention for this fixture.

Reece James

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

Reece James has undergone hamstring surgery after another issue with the area earlier this month. The club captain is not expected to return until after the March international break at the earliest.

Robert Sanchez

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

Robert Sanchez aggravated a knee problem during the recent loss to Everton and the club's number one goalkeeper is not expected to return in the short term.

Marc Cucurella

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

Marc Cucurella is currently recovering from ankle surgery and is not expected to return for a number of months.

Moises Caicedo

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Illness Possible return date: December 27 (vs. Crystal Palace)

Moises Caicedo missed the trip to Wolves due to illness and it remains to be seen whether he will be back in contention for this fixture.

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Cole Palmer

Games missed: One Return date: December 30 (vs. Luton Town)

Cole Palmer will miss this contest having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolves, on this occasion for kicking the ball away.

Raheem Sterling

Games missed: One Return date: December 30 (vs. Luton Town)

Raheem Sterling was booked, seemingly wrongly, for simulation against Wolves, representing his fifth caution and one that will keep him out of the Palace game.