Xabi Alonso’s bad week at Chelsea doesn’t get any better, as Maxence Lacroix becomes the latest player unavailable at Stamford Bridge.

Following defeat to Tottenham in the league and a penalty shootout exit to Liverpool in the cup, Alonso will now have to make do without his star defender for several weeks.

The French international joined the Blues from Crystal Palace in the summer for around £52 million and has been a mainstay in Alonso’s side, appearing in all eight Premier League matches.

The 26-year-old was forced off in the first half of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool at Anfield after signalling to the bench and pointing towards his hamstring.

Lacroix was replaced by Levi Colwill just before half-time, and just minutes later, Liverpool equalised from the spot, despite the Blues taking the lead moments before.

The severity of the Frenchman's problem has now been revealed. According to Fabrice Hawkins, the Frenchman suffered a hamstring tear and will be sidelined for several weeks.

An exact return date has yet to be confirmed, but during Alonso’s pre-match press conference ahead of the league clash against Manchester United, the Spaniard was asked by reporters for an update.

He said: "Max, he picked up an injury. We expect that he will not be ready before the international break. A few weeks out."

As Lacroix won't be going on international duty, the defender will miss Premier League games against Manchester United and Sunderland, as well as his country's UEFA Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey.

His availability beyond the international break, which ends on November 15, is not yet definitive but according to TalkSPORT, Lacroix is facing at least two months out.

Immediately after the break, Chelsea host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge, with an away trip to Nottingham Forest following a week later.

The west London side have several options available to fill the vacant position at the back. Fellow Frenchman Wesley Fofana is the favourite to step into the starting XI, following the manager's recent praise for his performance against Liverpool.

He said: “He was consistent and strong. I saw many positives from his performance. We know he is going to be important."

Other options include Josh Acheampong, who has impressed on the right side of defence. If he were to move across the backline, it would open up an opportunity for Marco Palestra, who has recently returned from injury himself.

Club captain Reece James and Jorrel Hato would usually be versatile options in an emergency, but both are also sidelined through injury, with no return date set for either defender.

With Levi Colwill available alongside Fofana and Acheampong, Chelsea have options in the short term, but any more defensive injuries could leave the Blues short at the back.

Lacroix's absence adds to Chelsea's growing injury list, with Joao Pedro, Emiliano Martinez, Aaron Anselmino, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Reece James also currently unavailable.