Chelsea matches Nicolas Jackson could miss after hamstring injury | OneFootball

Chelsea have been dealt an enormous injury blow after discovering that leading number nine Nicolas Jackson will be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a hamstring injury.

The Senegal international suffered the setback during Chelsea's 2-1 win over West Ham United on transfer deadline day. Rather ironically, the Blues allowed forward Joao Felix to leave the club on loan for AC Milan on the same day.

Enzo Maresca has since confirmed that Jackson will be absent until the March international break at the very earliest, with 19-year-old striker Marc Guiu also sidelined with a "long injury" after suffering a hamstring problem against the Hammers.

"Nicolas Jackson will be out until after the [March] international break," admitted the forlorn Italian.

"We knew it was a muscular problem but we didn't know how important it was because his reaction was quite good. We thought it was not a big injury but unfortunately he had the scan a few days ago and it is an important one. It will be around six to eight weeks."

Nicolas Jackson will be sorely missed by Chelsea / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Jackson is set to miss a minimum of seven matches for Chelsea, including both legs of the club's Conference League last 16 clash with one of Gent, Real Betis, Copenhagen or Heidenheim.

The 23-year-old, who has scored nine goals and provided five assists this term, will also miss five Premier League games, including difficult away trips to Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa and Arsenal.

Chelsea will hope that Jackson is available for their first match after the international break at home to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

With Guiu also on the treatment table, Chelsea's only recognised senior centre-forward is the out-of-sorts Christopher Nkunku, who has largely been limited to appearances in the Conference League and domestic cup competitions this term.

He has scored twice in 20 Premier League appearances - just three of which have been starts - and will be relied upon for goals in the coming weeks providing Maresca persists with the £52m man.