Chelsea forward Joao Pedro faces weeks on sidelines

Joao Pedro is facing weeks out with a thigh injury, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has confirmed.

The forward was injured before Saturday’s game against Tottenham and missed the 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

He will also miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool at Anfield, with Alonso unable yet to say exactly how long he will be sidelined.

Alonso said: “He has an injury of his thigh and is going to be out for a few weeks. Let’s see how many. He’s not ready for the next games.”

Alonso is confident his squad can cope without Joao Pedro.

“For sure,” he said. “This is why you build a squad. For sure, some players are important, but this can happen.”

Emmanuel Emegha, who has not played this season, will be in the squad for the trip to Liverpool and could be in line for his first appearance of the campaign.

“He’s been training for the last 10 days in a good way to allow him to build up his fitness,” Alonso said. “Maybe tomorrow he has the chance to play.”