Forward Liam Delap is recovering from a hamstring injury at a time of need for Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against surprise package Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing "a lack of creativity" and his side's crossing being "subpar".
Chelsea's forwards are finding it hard to score and assists as Delap returns in the EFL Cup against lowly Wolves on midweek (19:45 GMT), having missed 10 games since picking up the problem in the victory over Fulham in last month.
Maresca commented the young striker will be slowly integrated "carefully", and the summer signing's return is vital for a club facing questions over their inconsistency, which has left the national tournaments their best opportunity of claiming silverware this campaign.
Chelsea acquired Delap from the Championship side for £30m despite attention from Manchester United, the Magpies and the Toffees.
Yet the young English striker was second to £55 million acquisition Joao Pedro in the team ranking at this global competition - and with good reason.
Joao Pedro scored three goals in three appearances as Chelsea secured the maiden title in the United States. The Brazil striker scored another two and three setups in his first four Premier League games after moving from the Seagulls.
More lately, however, Joao Pedro has failed to score in his previous seven fixtures. Maresca revealed he is one of a trio of players - along with central players Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - who currently need to be "protected".
When asked about Joao Pedro's drop in output, Maresca commented: "For sure the fitness aspect is crucial. When you are not 100% it's challenging to excel, especially in this division."
"Joao Pedro is not a traditional striker that is going to net twenty times every season. Joao's a excellent footballer, he's going to score and provide assists but he's a alternative type of striker to those who net 20 to 25 goals annually like [Robert] Lewandowski, [Kylian] Mbappe or [Erling] Haaland."
Chelsea face broader problems beyond their strikers and Joao Pedro's goalless run.
Forward Cole Palmer has played two full matches all campaign and is not expected return from a lower body issue until December.
Wide player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a £52m package, has zero strikes and one goal contribution in 10 matches. Alejandro Garnacho, a £40 million signing from Manchester United, has a single strike in seven outings and caused an own goal against Benfica.
Estevao Willian, 18, has shown promise since moving from Palmeiras for a £51m package, but has just two strikes and one assist - equaling homegrown talent Tyrique George.
Striker Marc Guiu and Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte have a single strike apiece.
Marc Cucurella, who scored seven from defensive position last season, is still to score this season. Winger Pedro Neto has one goal and two assists in his last two games, but before that got only one goal in the initial ten fixtures.
After 13 matches in various cups no forward has above two scores, with midfielders Fernandez and Caicedo Chelsea's equal leading marksmen with four.
Asked whether a lack of natural goalscorers means duties need distributing, Maresca commented: "Definitely, yes. We frequently mentioned that the five players at the front, we need numerous strikes from each, in the way we have done last term."
Maresca has developed approaches to compete despite attacking inconsistency. Chelsea are second place for set-piece goals in the Premier League, one behind Arsenal. In addition, the Stamford Bridge side are the pioneering side to have 10 different scorers in the top flight this campaign.
Some Chelsea followers feel the number nine shirt - taken by Delap in the off-season - is jinxed. It had been available since recently, and players who sported it since 2006 have struggled for goals, including:
A central player and defensive specialist are among those listed, and some would argue Abraham ended the jinx with his performance, while legendary strikers such as Peter Osgood and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourished with nine on their back.
But Delap was unmoved when queried about the hoodoo. "I'm not the type of person [who believes in curses]," he commented at the global competition.
"Ultimately it's a figure on the jersey of your uniform. It's just a digit that has always been related to forwards so it's something that I enjoy and there's no pressure."
