Fresh from booking their place in the third round of the EFL Cup, Chelsea return to Premier League duty to host Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues made hard work of their second-round tie with AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday but managed to progress 2-1 thanks to a Noni Madueke penalty and Enzo Fernandez winner.

Mauricio Pochettino's men also got off the mark in the Premier League at the third attempt last Friday, overcoming Luton Town 3-0 through Raheem Sterling's brace and Nicolas Jackson's maiden strike for the club.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Forest, who failed to hang onto a two-goal lead in a 3-2 loss to Manchester United last weekend.

Reece James

Chelsea's Reece James passes the arm band to Ben Chilwell before being substituted on August 13, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: September 17 (vs. Bournemouth)

Newly-appointed captain Reece James returned to the treatment room with a thigh injury earlier in August, but he will not spend months out as initially feared, and there is optimism that he will be able to return following the international break.

Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku on August 3, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: December 16 (vs. Sheffield United)

On the other hand, new signing Christopher Nkunku is not close to a comeback from his severe knee injury, and he is unlikely to see the field again before December.

Benoit Badiashile

Chelsea's Benoit Badiashile applauds fans after the match on February 3, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: September 17 (vs. Bournemouth)

Benoit Badiashile should be one of the first players to exit the Chelsea infirmary in the coming weeks as he battles his hamstring concern, but the Frenchman will not be fit to face Forest either.

Wesley Fofana

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana after suffering a knee injury against AC Milan on October 5, 2022. © Reuters

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

Fellow defender Wesley Fofana is on the long road to recovery from a debilitating ACL injury, and there are fears that the ex-Leicester City man could miss the entire campaign.

Trevoh Chalobah

Trevoh Chalobah in action for Chelsea in July 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: September 17 (vs. Bournemouth)

Trevoh Chalobah should be in contention to return from his thigh issue for Chelsea's clash with Bournemouth after the international hiatus, but it remains to be seen if he will still be a Blues player once the transfer window shuts.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chelsea's Carney Chukwuemeka leaves the pitch after receiving medical attention on August 20, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: October 21 (vs. Arsenal)

Not long after finding the back of the net against West Ham United, Carney Chukwuemeka was forced off with a knee injury, which could keep the midfielder sidelined until the latter stages of October.

Mykhaylo Mudryk

Chelsea's Mykhaylo Mudryk pictured on February 3, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Unknown
Possible return date: September 2 (vs. Nottingham Forest)

Ukrainian attacker Mykhaylo Mudryk was absent against Luton and Wimbledon with an unspecified problem, but he has been spotted back in full training and could make his return in gameweek four.

Armando Broja

Armando Broja celebrates scoring for Chelsea on October 8, 2022 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: September 17 (vs. Bournemouth)

Following almost nine months of rehabilitation following a serious knee injury, Armando Broja is finally closing in on a return, and the Albanian striker may be gradually re-introduced into the fold next month.

Romeo Lavia

Southampton's Romeo Lavia on July 26, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Fitness
Possible return date: September 17 (vs. Bournemouth)

Following Romeo Lavia's arrival from Southampton, Pochettino revealed that the Belgian midfielder would take some time to build up his match fitness, and he will likely make his Chelsea debut at some point next month.

Marcus Bettinelli

Chelsea's Marcus Bettinelli in action as he makes his debut on January 8, 2022 © Reuters

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

Completing a 10-man list of absentees for Chelsea, third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has spent a while on the sidelines with an unspecified injury, and it is still unclear when the 31-year-old might be available again.