Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic will be unavailable for their Champions League semi-final first leg against his former club Real Madrid.
Kovacic has been missing for the Blues’ last three matches, after injuring his hamstring ahead of the Champions League quarter-final clash with Porto.
The 26-year-old has been a regular for Chelsea for much of this season, starting 27 of their 37 Premier League and Champions League matches this season.
The Croat would almost certainly have been at least in the squad for Tuesday’s trip to Madrid.
Tuchel is hopeful Kovacic should be ready for the May 1 clash with Fulham.
“I think it’s maybe possible to be back against Fulham, in-between the Madrid games.
“I think Madrid could be close as he’s not trained with the team. To be realistic, tomorrow is a game, then two days to prepare for Madrid, without training, it will not happen. Hopefully Fulham is a realistic target,” Tuchel said.