Graham Potter offers update on Ben Chilwell's hamstring injury
By Tom Gott
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has revealed Ben Chilwell will be sent for a scan on Friday to determine the severity of his hamstring injury.
The left-back pulled up in the dying embers of Wednesday's 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb and now has around three weeks to recover in time to travel to the World Cup.
Reports have claimed that Chilwell could be facing an extended period on the sidelines but Potter was reluctant to put any time frame on his return and instead stressed that full checks on the injury have not even been carried out yet.
"He's going for a scan later this afternoon so we'll find out how he is then, and there will be an update tomorrow," he said at a press conference on Friday.
"He feels okay, but obviously aware of the injury. We need to let the swelling settle down, hence the delay with the scan. We'll know after that.
"I wouldn't say we fear the worst, but we all saw the nature of the injury. I can't say it looks positive, but until we get the scan, it's difficult to say.
"He's ok and at the moment we're hopeful until we get the diagnosis. From there we will aim to get him back fit or strong, but it's disappointing of course."
Asked whether he was concerned other Chelsea players could take their foot off the gas to protect themselves for the World Cup, Potter admitted his squad have a very tough balancing act to manage.
"I don't think it's fear, it's just part of the challenge," he said. "It's very difficult to play Premier League football or Champions League football and go at it half-hearted, that's impossible. At the same time, there's a World Cup a couple of weeks away."