Chelsea injury update: Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro, Maxence Lacroix latest news and return dates

Chelsea are facing mounting injury problems as they prepare to take on Manchester United this weekend.It has been a difficult week thus far for the Blues, who have once again seen their momentum under Xabi Alonso stall.Chelsea made a roaring return after the extended international break, brushing aside both Bournemouth and Everton as back-to-back wins temporarily took them up to fourth in the Premier League table.Moises CaicedoMoises Caicedo has been captaining Chelsea in the absence of injured skipper Reece James and started in midfield as usual during the defeat by Liverpool.However, the Ecuador international was replaced by Valentin Barco with just under 20 minutes remaining at Anfield.Alonso subsequently revealed that Caicedo had been dealing with “little problems” during the game, though it isn’t anything that will put him back on the sidelines after a calf injury forced a delayed start to the campaign.Potential return date: Saturday October 31, vs Manchester United (H)Leading the way: Moises Caicedo is captaining Chelsea with Reece James out injuredGettyMalo GustoMalo Gusto was handed a now rare start for Chelsea on Merseyside, but made way for Marco Palestra at the same time as Caicedo was replaced.Alonso said afterwards that the French full-back - who was recently sidelined with a bout of illness - had been bothered by cramp, meaning he should not miss any time either.Read MoreThe manager said: “We knew that it was going to be physical and after we had to deal with Max, Moi had little problems. Malo as well; he had cramps. We were a little bit forced with substitutions.”Jorrel Hato didn’t make the trip to Anfield at all, though Alonso was not asked about the Dutchman’s absence after the game.Potential return date: Saturday October 31, vs Manchester United (H)Maxence LacroixMaxence Lacroix has been a mainstay for Chelsea this season after joining from Crystal Palace and got the nod against Liverpool, but could not complete the first half.He pulled up after tracking Cody Gakpo and was promptly forced off, bearing a concerned expression.Speaking at full-time, Alonso said: “Too early to tell. Probably he felt something on the hamstring. And we need a couple of days to check what's going to be the injury.”Potential return date: Unknown, pending further assessmentNew blow: Maxence Lacroix limped off as Chelsea fell to Liverpool in the Carabao CupGettyJoao PedroThe Brazilian picked up the injury during training ahead of the Tottenham game, leading to Alonso using Morgan Rogers as a makeshift striker.Prior to the Liverpool game, Alonso issued an update and said: “He has an injury of his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks.“Let’s see how many. We don’t want to predict on that, but he is not ready for the next games.”Huge miss: Joao Pedro has sat out Chelsea’s last two games with a thigh injuryPAThat provided supporters with a bit more information than was first offered. After the Spurs loss, Alonso said: “We don't know yet because he has a lot of fluid.“He felt it yesterday and we need to wait probably until tomorrow to do the test and to know the whole situation and the whole seriousness of the injury. We will know soon enough.”Potential return date: Saturday November 21, vs Leeds (H)Emi MartinezChelsea were without Emi Martinez against Spurs, with back-up goalkeeper Mike Penders scoring a nightmare own goal on his first Premier League start.Penders had to come off the bench at Everton the weekend prior to replace Martinez after a sickening accidental collision with Jarrad Branthwaite left the Argentine with a fractured jaw that needed surgery.Alonso said before the Tottenham game: “Emi is doing better. He had the surgery and day by day he is feeling better, but we still need to wait. “A few weeks. Hopefully, less than more, but we need to wait.“The good thing is that he is feeling better and we need to listen to his feelings, the opinions of the doctors, the specialists, the surgeons. Considering it was a bad one, he is doing good.”Potential return date: Early NovemberStretchered off: Emi Martinez suffered a fractured jaw during Chelsea’s win at EvertonAFP/GettyPep ChavarriaIt was hoped that Pep Chavarria would be involved in Wednesday night’s trip to Liverpool after the wing-back sustained an unspecified injury during training a few weeks ago.A late withdrawal from the matchday squad that travelled to Everton, the Spaniard has since returned to some level of team training.“Pep is training a little bit more, but he is not going to make it [for the Tottenham game],” Alonso said prior to last weekend.Potential return date: Saturday October 31, vs Manchester United (H)Reece JamesJames has been sidelined with a knee issue, making the captain Chelsea’s only long-term absentee at present.There was initial concern over another hamstring injury suffered just before the September international break, which prevented James from being selected by England for the start of the Nations League.When the Blues skipper returned to training at Cobham, he picked up a knee problem. First viewed as a likely short-term injury, with James first missing the emphatic win over Bournemouth, a specialist then recommended surgery as the best option.Chelsea described the surgery as “minor” and “successful” and are not setting any timelines, but Standard Sport understands that James will remain unavailable to Alonso for approximately three months."We are all disappointed, especially for him. He wanted to have a good start after the international break, but he picked up an injury," Alonso said before the Everton game."The surgery has been successful. We are supporting him."I wish him the best recovery. We won’t set timelines, but we expect him to be out for several weeks."It's not going to be short. Whether it's before or after Christmas, then time will tell. It needs to be done properly."We have a big squad to deal with injuries. We have four more games until the next [international] break, so I think we can manage well with the players that we have."Potential return date: Mid-JanuaryLong absence: Captain Reece James will not play for Chelsea again in 2026GettyJamie GittensGittens picked up an ankle injury while away on international duty with England’s Under-21s. Shortly after the European Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan, he was spotted using crutches at Molineux.After assessment back at Cobham, Alonso provided a timeline of “weeks” for Gittens’ return - repeating the prognosis prior to the victory over Everton. Potential return date: Mid-November