Both Chelsea and Everton could be without a number of stars through injuries

As many as five players could be missing from Chelsea's clash with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend.

Xabi Alonso's side were dealt a major blow with the news that Reece James will be out for the next couple of months after surgery.

The Blues' captain recently underwent successful minor surgery on a knee injury sustained during the build-up to last weekend's victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.

James has since embarked on a rehabilitation programme, working closely with the club's medical staff at Cobham as he begins his road to recovery.

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Speaking to journalists at the Cobham training ground on Friday afternoon, the Chelsea manager sent a classy message for James.

Alonso said, "We are all disappointed, especially for him. In the last training session. He picked up an injury. He will be close to the team, and he is a great influence.

"We wish him a good recovery. We don't give timelines. It won't be short; it will be a few weeks. We will see before Christmas, after Christmas, we will see."

James isn't the only absentee, with Jamie Gittens and Emmanuel Emegha also out with injuries. Speaking about the latter of the two, Alonso said: "'He is not ready for tomorrow; he felt something yesterday, a little thing.

"He is going to be training next week, but he's still not 100 per cent fit to be playing in the game [against Everton]."

As for Everton, they could be without two key players with Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko doubts for the game against the Blues.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of the game, David Moyes said: "Jarrad had a problem. He got it really early [against Hull].

"We've been looking at that in the week. Myko's doing much better. Myko's got a chance for the game."