Chelsea injury update: Pedro Neto, Robert Sanchez, Alejandro Garnacho latest news and return dates | OneFootball

All focus on the FA Cup final as three could return

Chelsea hope to welcome back three players from injury for the FA Cup final.

A much-improved performance at the weekend earned a point at Liverpool, but with Champions League qualification out of reach, it is all eyes on Wembley to give a frustrating season a sheen of success.

Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho will be pushing to start should they shake off knocks, while first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will hope to be passed fit to start.

Robert Sanchez

Sanchez’s clash of heads with Morgan Gibbs-White - who was also taken off after receiving treatment - saw the goalkeeper miss the trip to Anfield.

Standard Sport understands Sanchez had to undergo checks at certain intervals in the days before the Liverpool clash, part of the Football Association’s ‘return to play guidelines’ - before being passed fit.

He will now hope to get the all-clear to play the FA Cup final.

Pedro Neto remains sidelined with a knock picked up in training, but is nearing a return to action.

He was originally not expected to be sidelined for too long, but the damage was enough to rule him out against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.

The Portugal international will now aim to be fit for the FA Cup final, with Calum McFarlane “very hopeful” the winger, along with Alejandro Garnacho will be available.

Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho is another who has been struggling with a knock.

Like Neto, it was deemed “nothing serious”, but he also missed out against Forest and Liverpool.

All eyes on making the Wembley trip on Saturday.

McFarlane said on Saturday of Garnacho and Neto: “You have to take these things day by day. We're hoping that they'll be available, but we don't know at this moment in time.

Jesse Derry

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Jesse Derry

Jesse Derry has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a sickening clash of heads with Zach Abbott on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.

The teenager required nine minutes of medical attention on the pitch before eventually being stretchered off and taken to hospital. He is now on the mend.

Chelsea’s interim head coach Calum McFarlane gave a new update on his recovery three days later.

“I spoke to Jesse's dad [former QPR and Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry] the night it happened and I spoke to the family yesterday as well,” McFarlane said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.

“It's positive. It’s really positive. I don't have the knowledge or the insights to go into massive detail, but all early signs are really positive.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Estevao was forced off against Manchester United

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Estevao

Estevao suffered a hamstring injury during the first half against Manchester United and was forced off just 15 minutes into the match.

The Brazilian, who had only recently returned from a spell on the sidelines, went straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Alejandro Garnacho and was visibly emotional at half-time.

He has since been ruled out for the rest of the season, with concerns also growing that he could miss this summer’s World Cup.

Speaking to reporters, McFarlane said: “Unfortunately, Estevao won’t play again this season. He’ll be sidelined for a while, but we’ll continue to support him throughout his recovery.”

Jamie Gittens

Jamie Gittens picked up a hamstring injury while making a rare start for Chelsea in their home game against West Ham on January 31.

The winger was originally expected to be sidelined for around six weeks, with a potential return against Newcastle on March 17. However, his recovery was delayed after he suffered a setback.

The 21-year-old has still not returned to full training, and former head coach Liam Rosenior admitted there is uncertainty over whether the ex-Borussia Dortmund forward will feature again this season.

“I can’t give you a definitive answer on that,” Rosenior said. “Jamie has actually responded really well since his latest setback, but I don’t want to put pressure on him.

“We need to make sure he’s right for the long term.”