Chelsea are rocked by a thigh injury that rules striker Joao Pedro out of the Liverpool and Man Utd games

Joao Pedro, Chelsea's leading scorer this season with five goals and three assists in seven appearances, has been ruled out for several weeks with a thigh injury, dealing Xabi Alonso a significant blow at the worst possible time. Pedro's absence was already felt on Saturday as Chelsea slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham. Alonso confirmed at a Tuesday press conference the Brazil international is not ready for the coming fixtures.

Chelsea face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, then host Manchester United in the Premier League.

Alonso started Geovany Quenda ahead of Danny Welbeck against Spurs, with the veteran forward introduced only in the final minutes as defeat loomed.

Liverpool's Andoni Iraola has meanwhile confirmed two of his own key players are unlikely to be available for Wednesday's cup tie at Stamford Bridge.