After seeing his Chelsea team lose two of their last four Premier League games, with their 10 point lead atop the league's summit cut to just four points, the last thing Antonio Conte needed was one of his key players sidelined through illness on the eve of an FA Cup semi-final.
Recent defeats to Crystal Palace and Manchester United have highlighted vulnerabilities in a side many believed to be Champions elect a few weeks ago, and those vulnerabilities could come under even more scrutiny at Wembley this weekend.
It is being reported that Gary Cahill, so integral to Conte's plans as part of his much lauded back three, has been hospitalised for the past two days with a mystery illness, which is now likely to cause him to miss tomorrow's London derby with title rivals Tottenham.
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Cahill played during last Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford but then complained of a rising temperature after the match.
Cahill didn't enjoy the best of games against Manchester United, last week. Image: PA
The England international trained on Tuesday but was then taken to hospital after his condition became worse.
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The 31-year-old is now being monitored by club medics but it is not believed that he will recover in time for tomorrow evening's semi-final at Wembley.
Instead, club captain John Terry could be in line for a shock recall to the first team, just days after it was announced that this season would be his last at Stamford Bridge.
John Terry could be set for a shock recall just days after it was announced he'd be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. Image: PA
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Terry has turned out three times in the competition so far, this season, missing only the quarter-final against Manchester United, at Stamford Bridge, last month.
Both Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake are also in contention to play but it is believed that Terry is Antonio Conte's preferred choice for the clash with Mauricio Pochettino's men.
Cahill's illness could be connected to the stomach bug that caused Marcos Alonso to miss the defeat to United, last Sunday. The Telegraph have reported that Diego Costa and Victor Moses have also been affected by the virus, but played through it at Old Trafford.
Cahill complained of a rising temperature after the defeat at Old Trafford and has been treated in hospital for the past two days. Image: PA
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Is Terry the right man for the job against Spurs, tomorrow or should Conte replace Cahill with one of Kurt Zouma or Nathan Ake?
Have your say in the comments sections.
(H/T The Telegraph)
Topics: John Terry, Football, Chelsea FC, Gary Cahill