Fears Chelsea's Lacroix could be out until January

Chelsea fear Maxence Lacroix will have a lengthy lay-off having suffered a serious hamstring injury. Maxence Lacroix has started 10 of Chelsea's 11 games in all competitions this season since his summer move from Crystal Palace Chelsea fear defender Maxence Lacroix is set for a lengthy lay-off after suffering a serious hamstring injury. Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that the France international, 26, could be out until January, meaning he could miss up to 10 matches. The setback occurred at the end of the first half of Wednesday's Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool on penalties, as Lacroix sprinted and attempted to block a shot. Sources inside Chelsea, including manager Xabi Alonso, have been guarded on the length of the absence.

When asked about Lacroix's injury at his media conference before Saturday's Premier League visit of Manchester United, Alonso said: "Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he's not going to be ready before the international break. So he will be a few weeks out." The injury is a blow for Alonso, who has started his £52m summer signing from Crystal Palace in all but one of Chelsea's 11 matches across all competitions this season. Only attacker Morgan Rogers has played more than Lacroix for Chelsea this season. The Blues have a six-man centre-back group featuring Levi