Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly will miss his side’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow.
He will also miss the second leg of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18.
Koulibaly went off injured in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Marc Cucurella replaced him.
Interim manager Frank Lampard told Chelsea’s website: “He won’t be available for either game.
It is a hamstring injury. It will be a matter of weeks rather than days. He is a very good, very experienced player.
“People talk a lot about our squad, but when we haven’t got lots of cover in certain times, and obviously the Champions League squad is different to the Premier League squad, of course, it is a disappointment for him and us, but an opportunity for someone else.
“We carry on without him, and hopefully, he gets fit as quick as he can.”
The Brighton fixture will be Lampard’s third since the club rehired him to lead the team. The Englishman has lost his two games since his return.
Lampard is keen to stabilise the Blues after a poor season under new ownership.
They look set to miss out on European football after spending over £600 million on new signings.
They have not scored a goal in their last four games and are yet to find a permanent manager.
Chelsea desperately need three points this weekend, but it will not be easy against Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
The Seagulls have been fantastic this term and are in contention to qualify for Europe next season.
