Chelsea injury woes continue as Mateo Kovacic becomes latest Blue to suffer knock on international duty

Frank Lampard could be without a number of key players for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday, with four Chelsea stars set for a spell on the sidelines.

Mateo Kovacic became the latest Blue to pick up an injury on international duty and had to be replaced by Ivan Rakitic during Croatia’s 1-1 draw with Wales.

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Andreas Christensen pulled his groin against Switzerland, while N’Golo Kante felt a twinge in his hamstring during the warm up ahead of the clash with Iceland.

Defender Reece James, who has broken into the first-team in recent weeks having returned from an ankle injury, was forced to withdraw from England Under-21 duty as a precaution.

Chelsea are already missing Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Antonio Rudiger.

Lampard will be waiting with baited breath that the rest of his squad representing their respective nations come through unscathed.

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England duo Ross Barkley and Mason Mount could be in action tonight against Bulgaria, LIVE on talkSPORT, while Christian Pulisic and Jorginho will play for the US and Italy and they are Chelsea’s four remaining midfielders.

Following their match with Newcastle, Chelsea will travel to Ajax and then Burnley, before playing Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

They then have a trip to Watford at the start of November.