Chelsea captain Reece James is expected to be out for around three months after knee surgery.
The 26-year-old sustained the injury in training last Friday before Chelsea's 5-1 home win over Bournemouth.
The England international is now set to be out until 2027.
- Transfer Centre LIVE! | Chelsea news & transfers🔵
- Chelsea fixtures & scores | FREE Chelsea highlights▶️
- Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract
Chelsea confirmed on Friday morning that James had undergone successful minor knee surgery.
Blues boss Xabi Alonso is set to be asked about James' injury at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton.
James has suffered multiple injuries throughout his career, and this is the latest setback that will keep him out of home games against Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as the trip to Manchester City.
He enjoyed a relatively injury-free campaign last season as he made 29 Premier League appearances, the most he made since the 2020/21 season.
It led to James being called up to England's World Cup squad, but he then suffered a hamstring injury at the tournament, which saw him miss three games.
James then recovered to start in the semi-final loss against Argentina.
The Chelsea academy graduate has made six appearances this season, including three Premier League starts.
In March, James signed a new six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's next five fixtures
Everton (A), Premier League - Saturday
Tottenham (H), Premier League - October 24, live on Sky Sports
Liverpool (A), Carabao Cup fourth round - October 28, live on Sky Sports
Manchester United (H), Premier League - October 31
Sunderland (A), Premier League - November 8, live on Sky Sports
(c) Sky Sports 2026: Reece James: Chelsea captain out for around three months after minor surgery on knee injury picked up in training
Lisandro Martinez: Man Utd defender in squad for Leeds trip and situation resolved after criticism of hierarchy, insists Michael Carrick
Jason Wilcox finds himself under exact same pressure as last time Manchester United visited Elland Road to face Leeds
Harry Kane: England captain agrees new deal in principle with Bayern Munich until 2029
Member of South Africa's Lions rugby playing squad dies in France
