A calf injury has impacted Caicedo's start to the new campaign. The Ecuadorian midfielder missed our opening two fixtures, away at Fulham and at home to Luton Town, but was introduced as a second-half substitute in our 4-3 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Unfortunately, Caicedo's return lasted just 14 minutes as he suffered a recurrence of the issue that had kept him sidelined.

Alonso explained ahead of our midweek game against Leeds United that Caicedo was training, but that no risks were being taken over his return, a policy that has been extended to Hull's visit tomorrow afternoon.

‘Not yet [ready to return]; let’s see for Brentford,' Alonso explained during his pre-match press conference. 'Unluckily, not yet, and it's not the moment to take the risk with him. We are not there yet.'

One positive is that Alonso confirmed that Lavia, who wasn't in our matchday squad against Leeds on Wednesday evening, was ready to feature this weekend.

The Blues manager also provided the latest on Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha, who have been sidelined since the start of the campaign and are yet to make their Chelsea debuts after arriving this summer.

‘Not tomorrow,' the Spaniard explained. 'We hope they can be [ready] against Brentford, but we will see.’