Edouard Mendy hands Chelsea injury blow after undergoing operation on fractured finger

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has undergone surgery on a fractured finger sustained in training this week.

It’s another injury blow to Graham Potter who has seen his list increase this week following the injuries to Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling.

Mendy was on the road to recovery from a shoulder problem sustained at the World Cup and looked to be almost ready to return for Chelsea as he made his comeback in training.

“He’s been training a little bit more than he was,” Potter reported prior to their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Thursday.

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“He’s not fully fit at the moment but hopefully in the next week or so he might make some progress.”

But the 30-year-old has suffered a setback following his Cobham return after he fractured his finger during a training session.

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The club confirmed he has had an operation and will now begin his rehabilitation.

A Chelsea statement read: “Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has undergone an operation on a fractured finger sustained in training this week.

“The 30-year-old will work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation phase.”

It sees Kepa Arrizabalaga as the only senior goalkeeper available alongside veteran Marcus Bettinelli.

Gabriel Slonina, who has joined from Chicago Fire, is now with the squad after completing his season in the MLS.

The headache grows for Graham Potter who would have hoped to have both of his goalkeeper fit and available heading towards the end of January.