Chelsea team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Preston North End

Chelsea return to action on Saturday evening when they play host to Preston North End in the FA Cup third round.

At one point over Christmas, the Blues may have welcomed a break from Premier League action, but they head into this fixture on the back of successive victories in the top flight.

However, Mauricio Pochettino will be eager to progress in this competition at a time when Chelsea also have ambitions to go further in the EFL Cup.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their meeting with the Championship outfit.

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 having featured in training.

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 Preston.

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 later in January at the earliest. However, he was pictured in training on Tuesday, an indication that he has stepped up his recovery.

Lesley Ugochukwu

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

Although Lesley Ugochukwu made his return from a muscle injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve, the midfielder was forced off in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, and will remain out of contention for the next month.

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 loss to Everton last month 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.

Romeo Lavia

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

Having picked up a thigh issue on his debut against Crystal Palace on December 27, Romeo Lavia was absent against Luton. That is expected to remain the case for this fixture, with his recovery time currently unclear.

Nicolas Jackson

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

Nicolas Jackson will miss a number of Chelsea's upcoming matches having been selected by Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Benoit Badiashile

Status: Major doubt Reason of absence: Unknown Possible return date: January 9 (vs. Middlesbrough)

A recent issue kept Benoit Badiashile out of the contention for the Luton game, but Pochettino revealed on Friday that the centre-back will return "within the next week".

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Chelsea have no players serving bans for this contest.