Armando Broja will have a scan on his return to England to determine the severity of the injury he suffered against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Chelsea striker Broja was taken off on a stretcher after appearing to hurt his right knee in an innocuous challenge on Villa defender Ezri Konsa during the Abu Dhabi friendly.
Broja’s audible screams of pain increased concerns he suffered a serious setback.
But the full extent of any damage will only become clearer once he returns, with the injured Broja on his way back today, and undergoes tests.
Head coach Graham Potter said as cited by Sports Central: ‘It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.’
Any extended spell on the sidelines would represent a major blow for the 21 year-old as well as Chelsea, who have already missed Wesley Fofana and Reece James due to knee injuries this season.
After his successful first Premier League loan at Southampton last season, Broja has been increasingly used by Chelsea as this campaign has progressed, making 18 appearances in all competitions.
They have predominantly been from the bench but Broja has been handed all three of his Chelsea starts by new head coach Graham Potter and he opened his account for the club in October’s 3-0 win over Wolves.
Two of Broja’s starts came back-to-back in the Blue’s final games before the World Cup break and he was set to be handed the chance to cement his place in the Chelsea team during the remainder of the season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the only other out-and-out striker available to Graham Potter while Kai Havertz has been deployed as a false nine.
A lengthy absence for Broja could force Chelsea into the transfer market amid interest in Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko who is a free agent in the summer.
A deal for RB Leipzig’s French forward Christopher Nkunku has already been agreed which is set to see him arrive in the summer.
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