Chelsea will be without Thiago Silva for the next six weeks due to a knee injury.
The 38-year-old has been the Blues’ standout player in what has been a dreadful season, with the club only occupying a top-half Premier League spot by virtue of goal difference.
Silva was replaced early in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham after Harry Kane landed on his leg, with head coach Graham Potter revealing after the game that the defender would require a scan.
According to the Evening Standard, Silva could be out for the next six weeks due to MCL damage.
This would immediately rule him out of several crucial domestic games, as well as next week’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund at home.
In their official statement, Chelsea said: “Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Thiago underwent further assessment and a scan on his return to the training centre on Monday.
“Scan results from those assessments have confirmed damage to Thiago’s knee ligaments and he will now work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation to return to action as soon as possible.”