Chelsea are fearing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could be ruled out for at least two months with a knee injury.
The big Belgian is definitely out of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off with Everton and he will be replaced by Asmir Begovic between the sticks.
Courtois is understood to have picked up torn his meniscus during training at Cobham having return from international duty fully fit.
The 23-year-old was sent for scans on Thursday after breaking down at the club’s Surrey base.
Chelsea's last trip to Everton in pictures:
His deputy, £8million summer signing Asmir Begovic, is set to step into the team against Everton and has already had to step into the breach following Courtois’ dismissal at Manchester City.
Chelsea have had a troubled start to their title defence, winning just one of their four games so far and being beaten at home by Crystal Palace in the final match before the international break.
They start their Champions League campaign at home to israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday and then face Arsenal next Saturday.
There is some positive team news for Blues fans though with skipper John Terry set to return from his ban to bolster the leaking defence.
