Chelsea have been dealt an injury blow ahead of kick-off against Nottingham Forest after Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho were left out of the squad.
Standard Sport understands both Neto and Garnacho missed out with knocks picked up in the lead-up to Monday’s Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.
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Injuries to both wingers presents a huge opportunity for 18-year-old academy winger Jesse Derry, who interim head coach Calum McFarlane has named in the starting line-up at left wing.
A start for Derry, son of the former QPR player Shaun, is a full debut. His previous first-team appearances had all come this season for Chelsea but he had only ever featured as a substitute.
McFarlane will be expected to provide further details on the injury sustained by Neto and Garnacho when he speaks to the media in his post-match press conference after the Forest match.
Chelsea’s next game after Monday’s match sees them face Liverpool in the lunchtime kick-off at Anfield next Saturday, and it remains to be seen whether either Neto or Garnacho are passed fit for that match.
“I know people don't want to hear this because it's boring, but we just have to focus on the next game,” said McFarlane when previewing the Forest game.
“That's beating Nottingham Forest on Monday, and then beating Liverpool at Anfield and trying to tick them off and win as many games as possible, finish as high up the league as we possibly can.
“That's all we can control.”
