Thomas Tuchel confirms Chelsea injury blow

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that midfielder Mateo Kovacic will continue to remain on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

The Croatian has been unavailable for the past three games with the setback, and Tuchel has now revealed that he won't face West Ham United.

When asked for a possible return date, the German added that the 26-year-old could make his comeback against Fulham next weekend.

The Blues are scheduled to face West Ham United on the road in Saturday's Premier League encounter at the London Stadium.

The west London giants are currently fourth in the standings, but are only ahead of the Hammers by the virtue of goal difference. 

Hence, they face a tricky encounter tomorrow, considering the Hammers have beaten them in two of the last three league meetings.

Shortly after the derby, the Blues will make the trip to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Real Madrid.