Carvalho out for three weeks

Ricardo Carvalho faces a minimum of three weeks on the side-lines after it was confirmed he picked up a thigh problem against Hull.

Carvalho only made his comeback from a knee ligament injury last week is expected to miss five games and be back late November.

The games he is likely to will miss are the league games against Sunderland, Blackburn, and West Brom, along with the CHampions League tie against Roma and the Carling Cup match against Burnley.

Alex is expected to debutise but Chelsea are now short in defence after Michael Mancienne has gone out on loan to wolves.