Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy unlikely to return to action until April?

Since representing Senegal at the World Cup, Mendy has not played a single first-team fixture for the Blues, partly due to Kepa Arrizabalaga becoming the club's number one.

However, it emerged in January that the stopper had sustained a fractured finger, ruling the 31-year-old out for an unspecified amount of time.

The assumption was that Mendy would soon come back into contention, particularly before the next international break which commences on March 19.

According to the Daily Mail, though, Mendy still faces two weeks on the sidelines before he can return to training.

The report claims that the former Rennes stopper has only been able to take part in light sessions away from the rest of the group.

With Chelsea's last game before the upcoming back of international matches taking place on March 18, Mendy will realistically not be considered for selection until the beginning of April.

Mendy's absence has come at a time when discussions have taken place over a new contract, even with his existing terms lasting until 2025.

Although Mendy has spent much of his time at Stamford Bridge as first choice, that is no longer the case, and that has allegedly resulted in a reluctance to pen fresh terms.

Unless Mendy extends his stay in West London, Chelsea's owners are likely to be open to selling a player who has kept 49 clean sheets in 104 appearances and won the Champions League.

Marcus Bettinelli is currently deputising as number two, while Chelsea have a decision to make regarding the next stage of Gabriel Slonina's development after his switch from Chicago Fire.

The same outlet claims that Chelsea are prioritising signing a new backup goalkeeper in the summer, seemingly likely to take the spot of Mendy unless Arrizabalaga is sold.

That said, Bettinelli's deal expires at the end of the season, and it is unclear whether he will choose to remain at Chelsea or secure first-team football elsewhere.