Nicolas Jackson ruled out until April with hamstring injury for 'six to eight weeks' to deepen Chelsea’s injury crisis
Updated 13/02/2025 at 13:24 GMT
Nicolas Jackson will have a lengthy spell on the sidelines after it Enzo Maresca confirmed that he has suffered a hamstring injury which will keep him out of action for 'six to eight weeks.' Jackson's injury means that the Italian will be without a recognised centre-forward for the foreseeable future, with Marc Guiu also on the treatment table. Jackson has scored nine goals in all competitions.
'It's him again!' – Salah lashes Liverpool ahead in pulsating derby
Video credit: TNT Sports
Chelsea will be without a recognised centre-forward after head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Nicolas Jackson will be ruled out for "six to eight weeks."
It is understood that the 23-year-old had a scan on Wednesday which confirmed significant damage to his hamstring.
Jackson's injury was picked up in Chelsea's 2-1 victory over West Ham United, where he was forced off after 52 minutes after receiving on-field treatment.
He then missed The Blues' following game against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, which they lost after taking an early lead.
Jackson is now set for a spell on the sidelines with a return pencilled in for Chelsea's derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur on April 2 after the March international break.
The Senegal international has been Chelsea's leading striker since his west London arrival from Villarreal in 2023.
The Italian said in his pre-match press conference: "Nico is injured and will be out until the international break.
"Probably he will be back after the international break.
"We knew he had a muscular problem but not how important [significant] it was at that stage. His reaction was good, so we didn’t think it was going to be a big injury.
"Unfortunately, he had a scan which has shown the injury, and he will be out for six to eight weeks.
‘Marc Guiu will also be out for a while. He has a muscle problem, a hamstring issue as well, and will be out for a little while."
Guiu's absence means Maresca will be forced to navigate his way through a tricky set of fixtures without an out-and-out centre-forward.
Those fixtures include matches against Brighton, Aston Villa and Arsenal, with Jackson set to miss at least five Premier League games.
So far this season, Jackson has played his part with nine goals and five assists in the top flight as Chelsea fight for a return to the top four.
- Havertz to miss rest of season with hamstring injury - reports
- Mourinho responds to 'GOAT' Icardi 'Crying One' comment as ironic online spat continues
Against Brighton on Friday, Maresca picked Christopher Nkunku to lead the line, with Jadon Sancho on the left, Pedro Neto on the right flank and Cole Palmer behind Nkunku in the hole.
Despite having an exemplary record in front of goal in the UEFA Conference League this season, with seven strikes in seven games - and 13 across all competitions, four more than Jackson - he is not considered a traditional No. 9.
He has featured 31 times for Chelsea this season, a handful more than Jackson who did not play in the Conference League league phase and was considered part of Maresca's 'A-team'.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/23/4064528-82428208-2560-1440.jpg)
Jackson finds corner with cool finish to give Chelsea early lead over Leicester
Video credit: TNT Sports
However, there was better news concerning the availability of Reece James, who is expected to feature against The Seagulls on Friday night.
"Reece is okay," Maresca added.
"He was rested against Brighton in the FA Cup, this was planned to give him a rest.
"He’s had a bit more rest in the last few days but he is okay to be involved tomorrow, yes. We are very happy to have Reece with us."
Elsewhere, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile are both nearing a return to training, while Wesley Fofana could be back in contention in the next few weeks.
- - -
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement