Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been ruled out of action until at least April following a scan on Wednesday that confirmed the severity of an injury he suffered last week.
Initially, Jackson was expected to be available for Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Brighton on Valentine’s Day, with head coach Enzo Maresca suggesting that the injury was not serious.
Speaking about Jackson’s condition before the final scan, Maresca had downplayed the concern, saying:
“As I said a few days ago, it’s not a big injury. He needs some days off and hopefully, for the next game, he can be available.”
However, that would not be the case. The latest assessment confirmed that Jackson has suffered hamstring damage, ruling him out until after the international break in late March. Chelsea’s game against Tottenham Hotspur on April 2 is now the earliest possible return date for the Senegalese forward.
According to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, Jackson’s injury leaves Chelsea without an out-and-out striker, as Marc Guiu is also sidelined with an injury suffered in the same game against West Ham.
While Chelsea remain confident they can cope without Jackson, his absence poses a major challenge for Maresca as the team pushes for a Champions League qualification spot.
With no recognized striker available, the head coach will need to rethink his attacking setup for the crucial fixtures ahead.
Nicolas Jackson’s Injury Timeline
February 4 – Injury Occurs Against West Ham
Jackson sustained his hamstring injury during Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over West Ham in the Premier League. The striker initially showed signs of discomfort but managed to continue playing before eventually being assessed by the club’s medical staff after the match.
February 6 – Maresca Downplays Injury Concerns
Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup tie against Brighton, Maresca suggested that Jackson’s injury was minor and that he could be available soon.
At this point, there was optimism that he might even feature in the Premier League game against Brighton on February 14.
February 7-13 – Continued Monitoring and Initial Recovery
Jackson continued to undergo tests and treatment as Chelsea monitored his progress. The club remained hopeful that the injury would not keep him out for an extended period, and he was not immediately ruled out of upcoming fixtures.
February 14 – Final Scan Confirms Severity of Injury
On Wednesday, February 14, a final scan revealed hamstring damage, confirming Chelsea’s worst fears. The results indicated that Jackson would be out until at least April 2, when Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur.
This meant he would miss several key fixtures, including Chelsea’s league matches against Brighton, Aston Villa, and Newcastle, as well as their FA Cup fifth-round tie.
Expected Return – April 2 Against Tottenham
With a recovery timeline now set, Jackson will spend the next six to seven weeks in rehabilitation. Chelsea are targeting his return for the game against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, but his availability will depend on how well he progresses in training during the international break in March.
