Coach Enzo Maresca stated on Thursday that although Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will miss six to eight weeks due to a hamstring injury, Christopher Nkunku will still be able to play up front.

Despite being injured during their 2-1 victory over West Ham United earlier this month, Jackson, who has nine Premier League goals this season, tried to continue playing before being substituted out in the second half.

Prior to Friday’s league trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, the team that eliminated them from the FA Cup over the weekend, Maresca informed reporters, “Nico will be out until the international break, probably available after the international break.”

“We knew it was a muscular problem but not how important it was. His reaction was good, so we didn’t think it was a big injury. Unfortunately he had the scan a few days ago and it is an important one, he will be out for six to eight weeks.”

Marc Guiu, Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, and Wesley Fofana are still out due to injuries, according to Maresca.

According to the Italian manager, Fofana will need two or three weeks to get back to playing, and Lavia might not return until after the international break next month.

Nkunku may have had the ideal opportunity to assert his claim to the striker’s position during Jackson’s absence, but Maresca is not sure Chelsea’s 60 million pound ($74.98 million) acquisition can lead the line.