Watford will be without six first-team players for their trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend, while the Blues have five players still in question.
Watford sustained no fresh fitness blows during the last game week, however, Craig Cathcart, Tommie Hoban and Isaac Success, defenders Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl (both hamstring) are still out and will not begin working with their teammates again until next week.
Nathaniel Chalobah underwent surgery last month on a fractured kneecap sustained in training before the 2-1 win over Swansea City,
and although performance director Gavin Benjafield was initially optimistic that he would be reintegrated back into the squad well before the New Year, it remains to be seen exactly when the former Chelsea midfielder will be in a position to return to action.
“It’s the same situation as last week,” Silva, who has urged Watford’s players to remain calm and keep their feet firmly on the ground despite such an impressive start to his maiden campaign at the helm, told reporters at a pre-match press conference held on Thursday afternoon.
“Cathcart, Chalobah and Isaac are long-term. Kaboul and Sebastian are still out of the match. We expect them to work with the team the next week. Maybe not full training, but certainly with the team. It’s too early to say with Chalobah.”
Chelsea midfielders Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante recently were sidelined, as well as wing-back Victor Moses.
David Luiz was substituted with a calf issue against Roma, while Gary Cahill sustained a knock to the head. Conte again reiterated the increasing strain on his thinning squad, revealing after the Champions League match that Tiemoue Bakayoko was dealing with a pain in his groin.
So it will be very interesting how the two sides line-up this round.
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