Joao Pedro has made an impressive start to the campaign, scoring five goals and registering three assists in seven matches. However, on the eve of Tottenham Hotspur's visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the Brazilian suffered an injury in training.

Joao Pedro has since undergone further tests, which have confirmed he is set for a spell on the sidelines, as Alonso detailed in his pre-match press conference ahead of our Carabao Cup clash at Anfield.

He said: ‘He has an injury in his thigh and he’s going to be out for a few weeks. Let’s see how many; we don’t want to predict that. But he will not be ready for the next games.

‘He is a key player and we will miss him, but we have to be ready to deal with the injury, be competitive and try to win games with the players we have available, starting tomorrow against Liverpool, a cup game.

'This is the situation and we are ready to fight for it and prove we can show a good level.’

Alonso's attacking options have been boosted by the news that Emegha is in contention to feature in tomorrow's game. The 23-year-old striker has yet to make his Chelsea debut after arriving from Strasbourg in the summer, but has been building his fitness at Cobham over the last fortnight after recovering from a hamstring injury.

And Alonso says the Netherlands international – in addition to Estevao and Danny Welbeck – can be called upon tomorrow evening. 'He is in the squad,' the Blues boss stated.

One selection Alonso has already confirmed is that of Mike Penders. The Belgian goalkeeper made his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and, unfortunately, conceded an own goal in our 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso insists his confidence in the 21-year-old has not changed, and that Penders will learn and improve from the experience.

‘It’s a challenge to deal with good performances and mistakes, but that is part of the job, being a professional footballer playing at the highest level,' Alonso said.

'What happened on Saturday is in the past; it’s a lesson for him and everyone. We fully support him tomorrow.'