Chelsea's crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City this Sunday is looming, and the fitness of several key defenders remains a major talking point. Assistant coach Liam Rosenior provided a detailed update in his latest press conference, offering a mixed bag of news for Blues fans.

The immediate outlook for the Etihad Stadium trip is cautious. Rosenior confirmed that defenders Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and captain Reece James will all miss the match against the champions. "Trevoh is working really hard and is back on the pitch, Levi still has a few hurdles to clear. Reece is running today," Rosenior stated, adding definitively, "They are [all] not ready for Man City."

However, there is a significant silver lining for the weeks ahead. The progress suggests a timely boost for Chelsea's defensive ranks. Chalobah appears closest to a return and could be in contention for next weekend's high-stakes encounter with Manchester United. Reece James is on a similar trajectory, though the club may exercise extra caution with their skipper. Levi Colwill's recovery seems the most protracted, with a potential return not expected until next month.

In more positive news, young star Estevao is fully fit and pushing for a starting role after completing 90 minutes against Port Vale. His potential inclusion adds an exciting dynamic as Chelsea looks to navigate a challenging period without several first-choice defenders. While Sunday's task is undeniably tougher without them, the imminent return of this core group is a major positive for the run-in.