Following the 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League, Chelsea travel to Sunderland for their final fixture before the international break.

The Blues currently sit fourth in the table after nine matches, three points behind third-placed Brighton and three points clear of seventh-placed Everton.

Xabi Alonso’s start at Stamford Bridge has been mixed, although perhaps expected when taking charge of a new squad. Following three defeats in the opening nine games, including a first home defeat to Tottenham in eight years, Alonso’s side responded with a victory over Michael Carrick’s Manchester United.

The Spaniard is currently in the midst of a mini injury crisis, which has seen his captain, Reece James, first-choice centre-back Maxence Lacroix and star striker Joao Pedro all sidelined through injury.

James is not expected to return until the new year following minor knee surgery, with Lacroix also expected to be out until 2027 after sustaining a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s League Cup defeat to Liverpool. Pedro’s recovery timeline is less clear, although he is expected to be back after the November international break.

One player who could return for the trip to Sunderland is Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The goalkeeper suffered a jaw injury during the 2-0 away victory over Everton midway through October and has since returned to first-team training, albeit wearing a protective mask.

Fellow Argentine Aaron Anselmino has also returned to team training after struggling with injury in recent months. The defender was forced off in the first half of the Blues' 3-3 pre-season draw against Johor Darul Ta’zim in August and had not featured since.

The Argentine duo have since been called up for their country ahead of two international friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, potentially offering an indication of how close the pair are to returning.

After missing the Manchester United game through illness, Jordan Henderson has also returned to training in preparation for facing his boyhood and hometown club.

While one midfielder returns, another's availability remains uncertain. Ecuadorian star Moises Caicedo was missing from Wednesday’s open training session. His absence from the opening 15 minutes of the session has left his availability for the Sunderland fixture in doubt.

Caicedo has had to contend with injury difficulties at the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign. The midfielder missed three matches following his withdrawal in the second half of the 4-3 win over Brighton.

The Ecuador international captained the Blues in their victory over Manchester United and showed no signs of an injury problem.

Both Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato also missed the first 15 minutes of the session. The English U21 winger suffered an injury during the last international break and has yet to return. Meanwhile, Hato was withdrawn in the second half of Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, with no further update on his condition emerging since.

With Gittens and Hato also absent alongside Caicedo, Lacroix, James and Pedro, that takes the total number of sidelined players to six.

Xabi Alonso is expected to speak to reporters on Friday before the Blues head north to provide the latest updates on the availability of both Caicedo and Martinez. 

Following the two-week international break, Chelsea will host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on November 21.