Chelsea are bracing for a significant defensive blow after fears emerged that Maxence Lacroix could be sidelined until January following a serious hamstring injury.

Multiple sources have informed BBC Sport that the 26-year-old France international may miss as many as 10 matches during his recovery — a damaging loss of personnel for a side still finding its feet under manager Xabi Alonso.

How the injury happened

The injury struck at the end of the first half of Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, as Lacroix sprinted across to block a shot and pulled up sharply. Chelsea went on to lose the match on penalties.

Alonso, speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Manchester United, was measured in his assessment of the timeline, saying only that Lacroix would not be fit before the upcoming international break.