Nicolas Jackson: Chelsea forward ruled out for six weeks with injury

Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has been ruled out for around six weeks with a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old came off injured against West Ham two weeks ago and, although manager Enzo Maresca was initially hopeful the Senegal striker had avoided a major setback, scans have since revealed the problem to be much worse.

Jackson has scored nine goals so far this season, making him Chelsea’s second-top goalscorer behind Cole Palmer with 14.

Sources have told BBC Sport he is unlikely to return until after the international break at the end of March.

It leaves the Blues without a recognised number nine after Spaniard Marc Guiu, who replaced the injured Jackson at West Ham, picked up a serious groin injury in the same match.

Maresca had initially said it was “not a big injury” for Jackson, but 19-year-old Guiu would be out for “weeks or months”.

Palmer and Christopher Nkunku are likely to deputise in the duo’s absence, with the latter starting in the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Brighton last Saturday.

Maresca’s side, who are fourth in the Premier League, visit Brighton again in the league on Friday.