As many as 12 players could miss Chelsea’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with both sides dealing with injury problems ahead of the highly anticipated London derby.

Chelsea enter the contest after securing a 2-0 victory over Everton, thanks to João Pedro’s two goals. Tottenham also enjoyed a positive result in their previous outing, defeating Coventry City 3-1 to register their first win of the campaign. However, both teams could be without several key players, leaving their managers waiting for important fitness updates.

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has already confirmed that Emiliano Martínez will be unavailable after undergoing surgery on a fractured jaw. The Argentine goalkeeper sustained the injury in a collision with Jarred Branthwaite during the Everton encounter and is hoping to return within a few weeks.

Club captain Reece James will also miss the derby after undergoing knee surgery. The defender is expected to spend approximately three months on the sidelines, representing another setback for Alonso as he prepares his team for a demanding fixture.

Winger Jamie Gittens is another likely absentee. The Chelsea attacker is continuing his recovery from an ankle injury suffered while representing England Under-21s, leaving his participation against Tottenham in serious doubt.

Alonso must also assess the fitness of Pep Chavarria and Malo Gusto. Chavarria missed the Everton match after picking up an injury during training, while Gusto was unavailable because of illness. Neither player had reportedly been seen in training ahead of Saturday’s game, raising concerns about whether they will recover in time.

Summer arrival Emmanuel Emegha is facing a separate setback after experiencing difficulties during his return to training. The Dutch forward has yet to make his competitive debut for Chelsea, meaning his wait to feature for the club could continue.

Tottenham also have several selection concerns ahead of the encounter. Mykhailo Mudryk, the former Chelsea winger currently on loan at Spurs, is expected to miss the match because of a knock. Midfield prospect Lucas Bergvall and winger Savio are also likely to be unavailable.

Long-term absentees Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain sidelined as they recover from anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Rodrigo Bentancur will also be missing after receiving a suspension following his red card against Manchester United.

However, Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has received some encouraging news regarding his defensive options. Pedro Porro is expected to return after missing the previous two Premier League fixtures with a hamstring problem. Destiny Udogie could also be available after being rested for the victory over Coventry.

The north London club have further benefited from the returns of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Maddison recently made his first start in more than 500 days, while Kulusevski came on as a substitute during his comeback from a complicated knee injury.

With both squads dealing with fitness concerns, late assessments could determine the final team selections. The availability of returning players and the absence of established starters may prove influential when Chelsea and Tottenham meet in a crucial Premier League encounter.