Chelsea suffers a set-back after assistant manager Gianfranco Zola is re-admitted to hospital on Thursday after developing health complications from gallstone surgery.
Zola initially had surgery last week and was not on the bench for Monday’s FA Cup fifth-round defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
Maurizio Sarri’s assistant had been expected to return for Thursday’s Europa League last-32 second-leg clash with Malmo but Chelsea have told media that is now unlikely to be the case.
Chelsea face big games in two competitions in the next four days, first defending a 2-1 lead over their Swedish rivals at Stamford Bridge.
They then face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, looking for a trophy and revenge for the 6-0 defeat in the Premier League earlier this month.