Chelsea: What games Joao Pedro will miss after injury timeline is 'revealed'

Blues desperate to bring striker back into the fold after international break

Chelsea are sweating over the fitness of Joao Pedro after he withdrew from Brazil’s squad for the coming international break with an injury.

The striker has made a fine start to the campaign, scoring three goals and assisting a further three in four league appearances.

But he is thought to have picked up a knee injury in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Hull City, despite going on to score a late equaliser for the Blues.

On the mend: Joao Pedro

He missed training thereafter, as did Reece James, and played no part in Friday night’s galling 3-0 defeat at Brentford.

Joao Pedro was deputised there by Danny Welbeck, who drew a blank and struggled to replicate the Brazilian’s link-up with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.

Xabi Alonso has given little away as to Joao Pedro’s condition, keeping his cards very close to his chest. Speaking ahead of the Brentford clash, he suggested the player would face a late fitness test ahead of the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium, revealing no more detail than that.

But there is a very good chance he will be available when Chelsea next feature in Premier League action.

What games will Joao Pedro miss through injury?

Fortunately for Chelsea, Joao Pedro is expected to be fit and firing by the time the Premier League reconvenes next month.

Reports from ESPN in Brazil suggest the player is facing a recovery period of about three weeks, which means he will only be sidelined for the Selecao’s coming pair of friendlies against Australia.

All being well, he will be fit to feature for Chelsea when they host Bournemouth after the international break.

That will be a must-win affair for the Blues, who are now winless in three in the league.