Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is facing a race against 'pain and time' to be involved against Manchester City.
The 29-year-old has become an integral part of the Blues team since his €24million switch to Stamford Bridge from French club Rennes last summer.
It was a transfer which saw him leapfrog Kepa Arrizabalaga as first-choice at Chelsea and he started the Champions League final against City in Porto last season.
Mendy has, meanwhile, already clocked up 50 appearances between the posts for the Premier League club.
However, after picking up a knock in the Champions League, the French-born Senegal international was missing for the 3-0 win over Tottenham - while he will sit out, once again, when Chelsea take on Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
That comes as a bitter blow to Thomas Tuchel and his side, especially with a crunch showdown against City on the horizon. Indeed, two of this season's Premier League title favourites are scheduled to lock horns at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime (12.30pm).
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Speaking ahead of that mouth-watering clash, the Chelsea manager said: "We'll try and do everything for Saturday and to reintegrate him tomorrow in individual training and, hopefully, Thursday for team training. But not yet.
"I think it's possible [against Man City] but it's a race against pain and time, so let's see. If team training goes well he can be ready for Saturday, but I don't know right now."
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