Frank Lampard has confirmed that Chelsea will be without another midfielder for the visit of Everton this weekend.
The Londoners were already missing Jorginho ahead of Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge through suspension after the midfielder picked up his tenth yellow card of the season last time out against Bournemouth.
And now the boss has revealed Mateo Kovacic will also be on the sidelines for the hosts.
The Croatia international started the FA Cup win over Liverpool in midweek for his side but was substituted in the first half, and Lampard confirmed an Achilles problem would keep the midfielder out this weekend.
The Chelsea manager might also be without Willian with a similar issue against Everton as he faces a late fitness test, while N'Golo Kante is still expected to be absent.
Lampard told his pre-match press conference : "Kovacic isn't fit, his Achilles injury will take him out of the weekend, but hopefully it will not be long after that.
"And Willian we are assessing, he's a question-mark for Sunday."
Sunday will mark a return to Stamford Bridge for former Chelsea and current Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti , and Lampard is looking forward to seeing his old boss once more.
The London club's present manager revealed he has kept in touch with the Italian and he still holds a huge respect for the 60-year-old.
"He's [Ancelotti] very well respected in house and to the fans," Lampard added.
"We all respect his period at the club. A gentleman, a fantastic manager, I loved working with him personally and he'll get a great reception.
"A great man-manager, really great on a personal level great at striking up relationships with the players, to try to get the best out of them.
"Very good tactically, a really calm manner, never too high, never too low.
"And someone I really enjoyed working with, we had a very successful year in that first year to win the double. And from then on I've kept in touch with him now and again.
"And I have huge respect for him."
