Fofana, James, Chilwell, Loftus-Cheek: Potter confirms Chelsea team news for Bournemouth clash

Graham Potter has confirmed the Chelsea team news to face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Club action returns after the conclusion of the World Cup earlier this month which saw Argentina come out triumphant in Qatar.

Chelsea resume their league season off the back of three straight defeats, not winning any of their previous five (D2, L3), seeing them slip down to eighth place.

The break after the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United was much-needed for the Blues, giving Potter some time to reset after the hectic schedule that followed his Stamford Bridge appointment in September.

Potter won’t have Wesley Fofana available for the game after he suffered a setback on his return from a knee injury. N’Golo Kante remains out, while Armando Broja will miss the rest of the season.

Ben Chilwell won’t be available as he continues his return, likewise with Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The Chelsea head coach confirmed: “Wesley had a little setback which can happen sometimes at the last stage of rehab. He will be a couple of weeks and will not be available for the game.

“Armando is a big loss.

“Reece is back in, training, completed 65 minutes in the week.

“Still without Ruben, Ben Chilwell, Kante, Mendy has had a couple days training.”

Kante is not expected back until the end of February at the earliest, with Potter’s aim to ensure he gets him fit as soon as possible.

Potter added: “My focus is to get him back fit as soon as possible. Everyone knows the quality, it’s just getting him on the pitch playing football.”

Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech will also be unavailable. They are yet to return from their holidays after going the distance at the World Cup, playing each other in the third-place play-off.