Chelsea handed Kalidou Koulibaly blow for Brighton clash as Potter delivers positive Kovacic injury update

Graham Potter has confirmed the Chelsea team news to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium.

After extending his unbeaten start at Chelsea to nine games on Tuesday evening following a 2-1 win in the Champions League against RB Salzburg, Potter heads back to his former club which he left last month to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea travel to the south coast to face Brighton who are now managed by Roberto De Zerbi after the departure of Potter to the capital.

Chelsea manager Graham Potter celebrates with assistant manager Billy Reid in Austria. (Alamy)

Potter is yet to lose as Chelsea head coach. It's been a stellar start for the 47-year-old who has won six and drawn three of his opening nine matches in all competitions.

Chelsea's best performance under the Englishman, arguably, came on Tuesday in Austria and after back-to-back draws in the Premier League against Brentford and Manchester United, Chelsea will be keen to get back to winning ways this weekend.

They will continue to be without Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James (knee) and N'Golo Kante.

Kalidou Koulibaly will miss out once again, with Potter admitting the game comes too soon for the Senegal international, who has missed the last three games against Brentford, Manchester United and RB Salzburg.

Potter admitted: "Koulibaly, game comes too soon, outside chance for Wednesday but not for tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic came off with a calf issue after experiencing tightness of Tuesday night, but he will be fit to face Brighton on the south coast.

Potter added: "Pretty much the same as we were against Salzburg. Mateo had a problem with his calf but it was just more fatigue."

Mateo Kovacic celebrates his goal against FC Salzburg. (Alamy)

Potter returns to Brighton for the first time since leaving last month, and the 47-year-old is looking forward to going back to see familiar faces.

However, the new Chelsea head coach knows he may not be welcomed by everybody at the Amex.

He continued: “A place where I spent three happy years there.

"Looking forward to going back.

"Timing wasn't great for anybody, but sometimes that happens.

"Then it's a decision, and a decision to work here was too hard to turn down.

"What the crowd expects... I don't have any. Most I've spoken to from Brighton have been supportive and thankful but I'm not naive, I know it isn't universal.”

Topics: Chelsea, Brighton And Hove Albion, Graham Potter, Premier League, Football

Matthew Debono

Owner/Lead of Absolute Chelsea. Featured on Forbes and 90min.

@MattDebonoAC