Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has had to contend with a lot of injuries this season.
The likes of Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana have all had long spells on the sidelines.
In fact, Lavia has only managed to make one appearance in the current campaign, while Fofana has not played at all.
Pochettino has at least been boosted by the return of James.
However, the Argentine has hinted that the right-back will not start against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mauricio Pochettino hopeful of having injured Chelsea player back for pre-season
With the Premier League season concluding on Sunday, Lavia will not play again this term, while Fofana will finish the campaign without having kicked a ball. The midfielder and defender are still out injured.
Pochettino, though, is hoping to have Fofana back in the summer.
When asked if the centre-back will be a part of Chelsea’s pre-season, the Argentine told football.london and other outlets: “We hope so, yes. He is doing well, very positive, we were talking yesterday and hope he can be available to be part of the group.
“He is still not part of group training.”
Could Wesley Fofana replace Thiago Silva at Chelsea?
Thiago Silva is leaving Chelsea at the end of the season to join Fluminense.
The Blues can use the transfer market to try and replace the Brazilian, but they may already have his successor in Fofana.
After all, this is someone with Premier League experience and who cost the club around £70m, making him one of their most expensive ever signings.
If Fofana, who is earning £200,000 a week (Spotrac) at Stamford Bridge is fit, then he has got to be used. Unfortunately for Chelsea, though, that is a very big if given his injury record.
Nevertheless, it is still something for the club to think about going into the summer transfer window. Striker is also a position that they are likely to look at, with Nicolas Jackson being the only recognised centre-forward in Pochettino’s squad right now.