Chelsea duo Ramires and Thibaut Courtois are doubts ahead of the FA Cup clash with Watford.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he will make changes for the FA Cup tie with Watford as he looks to rest a number of key players.
Ideally, midfield duo Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas would be allowed a day off, but injuries elsewhere make that a difficult proposition.
One man who could come in to deputise is Brazilian international Ramires as the midfielder steps up his comeback from injury with 45 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur.
The former Benfica man has featured irregularly this season, starting just three Premier League matches and having prolonged spells in the Stamford Bridge treatment room.
Mourinho admits that his absence has certainly been felt but remains hopeful that the 27-year-old is well on the road to a full recovery.
“Hopefully Ramires is getting there step by step,” Mourinho told the club’s official website. “Against Tottenham he played 45 minutes.
“He’s a player we need and he’s a player we haven’t had for the first part of the season. When we had him he was not really ready and finally he looks like he’s almost getting there.”
Another doubt for the visit of Championship promotion hopefuls Watford is Belgian international shot-stopper Courtois.
The 6ft 6inch custodian picked up an injury in the 5-3 defeat at White Hart Lane, with Mourinho admitting afterwards that it was a problem in one of his fingers.
“He has a problem in one of his fingers, let’s see what happens. I didn’t ask if it’s broken. I just asked if he could carry on at half-time,” he added.
The Blues have won the FA Cup a total of seven times in their history, with their latest triumph coming in the 2011/12 season.
Mourinho lifted the trophy at the end of the 2006/07 season, the final major trophy he won while in charge of the West Londoners.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
