Chelsea’s bad luck looks set to continue, with yet another injury headache for new boss Xabi Alonso.

The Blues are already without Joao Pedro, Emiliano Martinez, Maxence Lacroix, Aaron Anselmino, Jamie Gittens and Reece James, leaving Alonso with a growing selection headache ahead of the festive period of the season.

Alonso has lost his forward, Joao Pedro, within the last week, while Lacroix picked up a hamstring injury in the midweek League Cup defeat away to Liverpool.

With injuries to at least three defenders, the Blues are looking short in the defensive department. Joining the long list of setbacks is Dutch full-back Jorrel Hato.

The 20-year-old was absent from the midweek defeat to Liverpool after being withdrawn on the hour mark in the 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham.

Speaking to reporters at the Cobham training ground ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Manchester United, the boss was asked for the latest on the Dutch defender.

He said: “How long, we don’t know, but he’s not available… He has a back problem and he’s not feeling okay for tomorrow.”

Hato’s injury takes the total number of players currently unavailable to Alonso to seven.

Summer signing Pep Chavarria, who is predominantly a left-sided defender, has returned from a recent thigh strain and could be a natural replacement to fill the void.

French defender Malo Gusto covered the role in the midweek cup exit to Liverpool, but question marks were raised over his performance and assurance in the position. The 23-year-old looked nervous on the ball and gave possession away on at least 15 occasions.

Versatile Italian defender Marco Palestra could be a wildcard option for Alonso if he would prefer to maintain continuity. Palestra, who joined the club from Serie A side Bologna for around £47 million, including add-ons, over the summer, has recently suffered injury difficulties himself and has struggled to get opportunities.

The 21-year-old can play on both sides of defence and recently replaced Gusto for 20 minutes on the left. With no European competition to contend with until January, Alonso may have to be patient with his integration into the starting XI.

With no set timeframe for the Dutchman’s return, it is unclear whether he will be back in time for Chelsea’s final match before the international break. The west London side host Manchester United in the Premier League before travelling north to take on Sunderland.

The defender is a mainstay in the Netherlands national team squad, so a decision will have to be made soon about whether he can join up with his countrymen.

As Chavarria returns from a period on the sidelines, Hato will have back-up options at his disposal. However, injuries are piling up at Stamford Bridge, and the international break may provide a welcome pause to regroup numbers.