Maresca additionally confirmed that ahead Nicolas Jackson has been dominated out for “round six to eight weeks” with a hamstring damage.
The 23-year-old got here off injured in opposition to West Ham two weeks in the past and, though Maresca was initially hopeful the Senegal striker had prevented a significant setback, scans have since revealed the issue to be worse than feared.
Jackson has scored 9 targets to this point this season, making him Chelsea’s second-top goalscorer behind Cole Palmer with 14.
It leaves the Blues with no recognised quantity 9 after Spaniard Marc Guiu, who changed Jackson at West Ham, picked up a severe groin damage in the identical match.
“Nico [Jackson] shall be out till the worldwide break, most likely out there after the worldwide break,” Maresca stated.
“We knew it was a muscular downside, however not how vital it was. His response was fairly good, so all of us thought it wasn’t an enormous damage.
“Sadly, he had the scan, and it is a crucial one – he shall be out for round six to eight weeks.”
Palmer and Christopher Nkunku are more likely to deputise up entrance, with the latter beginning within the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Brighton.
Wingers Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke and Tyrique George had been additionally talked about as potential options by the Chelsea boss.
Maresca’s aspect, who’re fourth within the Premier League, go to Brighton once more within the league on Friday.
The Italian confirmed Reece James is offered for the match and that the right-back’s absence from Saturday’s FA Cup tie was a deliberate relaxation as he continues to be fastidiously managed having solely simply returned from a hamstring damage.
