Fulham will be without defender Carlos Salcido for up to a month after the Mexico international damaged an ankle ligament.
Salcido was injured following a tackle by Ashley Young in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
''It was a mistimed tackle on Carlos last weekend but I don't think there was any intention to hurt him,'' Fulham manager Mark Hughes said Tuesday. ''Obviously Carlos is bearing the consequences of the challenge and unfortunately he has ruptured a ligament on his ankle. The likelihood is he will be out for three to four weeks.''
Fulham, which signed Salcido from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven on a three-year contract in August, plays at west London neighbor Chelsea on Wednesday.
''It's disappointing because Carlos has made a huge impact during the short time that he's been with us so to not have him available going into a game against Chelsea is a big loss for us,'' Hughes said.
