Chelsea team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Fulham

Chelsea will be aiming to bounce back from their EFL Cup loss to Middlesbrough when they welcome Fulham for a West London derby in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Mauricio Pochettino's side recorded three straight wins, two of which were in the Premier League, ahead of their trip to Boro for the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, but they lost 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

The Blues are currently 10th in the Premier League table, 12 points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, but they are now just three points from Brighton & Hove Albion in seventh.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Fulham, who are 13th in England's top flight.

Christopher Nkunku

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

Nkunku has only just returned from a serious knee injury, which delayed his Chelsea debut until December 24, but he is now suffering with a hip problem, and it is unclear when the forward will be available again.

Ben Chilwell

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: January 13 (vs. Fulham)

Chilwell is in the latter stages of his recovery from a hamstring issue, and there is a slight chance that the left-back could be back in the squad for this contest.

Wesley Fofana

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

Fofana is not expected to be available for selection until next season, with the centre-back being forced to undergo an operation on a severe knee injury over the summer.

Trevoh Chalobah

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

Chalobah is still struggling to overcome a thigh problem, and the centre-back will again be unavailable for selection against Fulham this weekend.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: January 13 (vs. Fulham)

Chukwuemeka has been out since October with a knee problem, but the midfielder is now back in training and has not yet been ruled out of this weekend's contest.

Lesley Ugochukwu

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

Ugochukwu suffered a hamstring injury during Chelsea's loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, and the midfielder is not expected to be back until February at the earliest.

Reece James

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

James is currently on the sidelines recovering from a hamstring operation, and it is unlikely that the Chelsea captain will be back on the field until the end of March.

Robert Sanchez

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: January 31 (vs. Liverpool)

Sanchez remains unavailable due to a knee injury, but the club's number one goalkeeper has a chance of being available for selection before the end of the month.

Marc Cucurella

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

Cucurella is currently battling his way back from a severe ankle problem, and it is unlikely that the Spaniard will be available until the start of March at the earliest.

Romeo Lavia

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

Lavia made his Chelsea debut in December against Crystal Palace after recovering from an ankle issue, but the summer arrival is currently out with a thigh problem, and it is unclear when he will be available again.

Nicolas Jackson

Status: Out Reason of absence: International duty Possible return date: Unknown

Jackson will represent Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the striker will not be available for selection until his country have been knocked out or the competition has finished.

Benoit Badiashile

Status: Out Reason of absence: Unknown Possible return date: Unknown

Badiashile was again absent against Middlesbrough due to an unknown issue, and the centre-back has also been ruled out of the clash with Fulham this weekend.

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Chelsea have no players suspended for this match.