Graham Potter confirms double Chelsea midfield blow

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria won't be available to face Fulham tomorrow.

The Blues return to Premier League action against the Cottagers at Stamford Bridge and ahead of the game, they are short in midfield.

Jorginho was sold to Arsenal before the transfer deadline while Enzo Fernandez has yet to receive international clearance to make his debut.

Potter has now confirmed a further blow with both Zakaria and Kovacic ruled out of the west London derby. They are carrying minor injuries.

This leaves Potter with Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek as midfield options alongside club graduate Lewis Hall.

It is also unclear whether Loftus-Cheek will get the nod in the starting line-up, considering he has only returned from an injury of his own.

Chelsea will be desperate to return to winning ways tomorrow. They are currently 10 points behind the Champions League positions.

It will take a humongous effort to close the gap by the end of the season.