New Chelsea signing David Datro Fofana is still waiting for clearance to make his debut following his £8.6million move from Molde.
Fofana joined Chelsea on January 1 and the 19-year-old Ivorian striker was in the stands at the City Ground last weekend to watch their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has revealed his plans for Fofana, who moved to Stamford Bridge after winning the title in Norway with Molde in November.
But he is set to have to wait for his debut.
“We still need to wait for the clearances and all those formalities,” Potter said.
“He’s been on a bit of a break so we’ll give him some time to train, to assess him, and then work out the best solution in terms of taking the next step in his career.”
Chelsea host Manchester City in the Premier League on Thursday before travelling to face Pep Guardiola’s side away in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Ahead of that double-header, Potter has revealed goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is still injured.
“He’s been training a little bit more than he was,” said the Chelsea manager. “He’s not fully fit at the moment but hopefully the next week or so he will make progress.”
Fofana was the first January signing at Chelsea but deals for Andrey Santos, 18, and Benoit Badiashile, 21, will soon be completed.
They could be joined by 21-year-old Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who could break the British transfer record if he completes a £112m move to Chelsea.
Potter has refused to be drawn on exactly what he wants from a busy transfer window, saying “It’s a good question but the problem is if I answer it and I’m specific in that answer, every single player in that area will be linked with Chelsea.
“So I have to dodge it – and I hope you can understand why I’m dodging it.”
