Chelsea injury news: Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic could join Diego Costa on the sidelines for crucial Manchester City clash

Jose Mourinho could be without three crucial players for massive game

Jose Mourinho could be without three of his favourite players when Chelsea line up against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

With Diego Costa definitely suspended after the FA found him guilty of stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can, Mourinho could also be missing Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic after they both picked up injuries in the Capital One Cup semi final win.

Fabregas, arguably the signing of the summer, limped off early in the second half of the game at Stamford Bridge with a hamstring injury, while Serbian right-back Ivanovic has a foot injury.

Along with John Terry, Eden Hazard, Gary Cahill and Nemanja Matic, Ivanovic and Fabregas have both started at least 26 of 28 matches in the Premier League and Champions League this season.

Fabregas leads the Premier League in completed passes (1733), assists (15) and chances created (65) so far this season. A look at stats for Chelsea's midfielders show how much the Spaniard will be missed (click image at the top to enlarge).

(Sqwuawka)

Ivanovic has started in every league game at right-back but his absence could be exacerbated by another injury to left-back Filipe Luis, who is struggling with a calf problem. If both of those players are missing, it would leave Cesar Azpilicueta as the only fully fit full back in the squad.

Gary Cahill is expected to be a substitute once more, with Kurt Zouma continuing in defence, while Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah are likely to miss out as reports intensify of imminent moves for the out-of-favour pair.

Juan Cuadrado is expected to have a medical tomorrow meaning it is too late to register him for this match.

For Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini could have Samir Nasri back after the French midfielder missed the last two matches with a calf injury. Eliaquim Managala will have a late fitness test (shoulder) but Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony are still at the African Cup of Nations.

Provisional squads:

Chelsea: Courtois, Cech, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma, Ake, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Drogba, Mikel, Remy, Matic, Willian, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta.

Manchester City: Hart, Caballero, Zabaleta, Sagna, Kompany, Demichelis, Mangala, Boyata, Clichy, Kolarov, Silva, Nasri, Navas, Milner, Fernando, Fernandinho, Lampard, Aguero, Jovetic, Dzeko.

Additional reporting from PA