Chelsea Injury Update: Hull City Clash Lineup & Return Dates

Chelsea’s Turbulent Start Under Rosenior: Injury Woes and FA Cup Focus

The early days of Liam Rosenior’s tenure as Chelsea manager have been a rollercoaster, marked by a mix of promising results and frustrating setbacks. Freshly appointed following the dismissal of Enzo Maresca, Rosenior’s reign began with an immediate challenge in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. A spirited 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg set the tone, and despite a subsequent impressive run of five consecutive victories, including a dramatic multi-goal comeback against West Ham, the team ultimately couldn’t overturn the deficit in the second leg against the Gunners.

Following the cup disappointment, Chelsea secured a solid away win against Wolves. However, their return to home turf saw them drop points in a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Leeds United. Now, the Blues are gearing up for a significant FA Cup fourth-round clash against Rosenior’s former club, Hull City, on Friday. The focus is squarely on advancing in the competition, but a growing injury list presents a significant hurdle.

Chelsea’s Injury Report: Key Players Sidelined

The medical room at Stamford Bridge is currently occupied by several key players, casting a shadow over Chelsea’s immediate prospects. Here’s a breakdown of the current injury situation and estimated return dates:

Reece James (Captain)
- Injury: Knock/Illness
- Expected Return Date: February 13 (vs. Hull City)
- Rosenior had initially hoped his captain would be available for the Leeds match, but James was unexpectedly absent from the squad. While nursing a knock, he also reported feeling unwell, which further complicated his availability. James has been sidelined since the 3-2 victory over West Ham on January 31st.
Tosin Adarabioyo
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected Return Date: February 13 (vs. Hull City)
- Manager Liam Rosenior confirmed in January that the centre-back would be out for “the next few weeks” due to a hamstring issue. His return to training in the lead-up to the Hull City FA Cup tie suggests a comeback in the fourth-round fixture is highly probable.
Jamie Gittens
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected Return Date: Unknown
- Gittens was forced off during the comeback win against West Ham after just 25 minutes, having sustained a hamstring injury. Subsequent tests revealed a muscle tear, meaning he is expected to be out for at least a few weeks. Rosenior has described the injury as “long-term,” which is a concerning assessment for the young attacker.
Filip Jorgensen
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected Return Date: March 1 (vs. Arsenal)
- The Chelsea backup goalkeeper has missed four matches and is not yet deemed fit to return to the squad. Speaking before the FA Cup trip to Hull City on February 12th, Rosenior indicated that Jorgensen is “not fully fit at the moment.” The exact timeline for his return remains unclear.
Dario Essugo
- Injury: Unspecified
- Expected Return Date: Early March
- Essugo is still awaiting his Chelsea debut and has unfortunately suffered another setback. He had recently returned to training following a thigh injury, only to experience a further issue. Rosenior mentioned in a press conference prior to the Crystal Palace match in January that the player had “slipped in training” and was expected to be out for a month. Given the extended absence, it’s anticipated he will require multiple weeks to regain full match fitness.
Romeo Lavia
- Injury: Thigh
- Expected Return Date: March 1 (vs. Arsenal)
- Lavia has been unavailable since the beginning of November due to a persistent thigh problem. Rosenior provided an estimated return timeframe of 10 days to two weeks on February 9th. This suggests a potential return against Arsenal on March 1st, though a slightly earlier fixture against Burnley on February 21st might prove too soon.
Levi Colwill
- Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
- Expected Return Date: June 2026
- Colwill suffered a devastating ACL tear during pre-season and is unfortunately set to miss the entire campaign. The England international is currently in the initial stages of his rehabilitation process.
Mykhailo Mudryk
- Suspension: Doping Violation
- Expected Return Date: Unknown
- The Ukrainian international, Mykhailo Mudryk, has been unavailable for selection since December 2024 following a failed doping test. The exact duration of his suspension and subsequent return date are yet to be determined.