The injury news Chelsea fans didn't want to hear ahead of Brighton opener

Frank Lampard's Chelsea start their campaign with a trip to the Amex Stadium and five of their players are struggling to be fit for the Monday night kick-off against Graham Potter's men.

New Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech, who arrived from Ajax for £40m, looks certain to miss out after the Moroccan playmaker twisted his knee in the first half of a pre-season friendly against Brighton.

Ziyech is said to be making progress but a return date is yet to be confirmed for the 27-year-old.

England international left back Ben Chilwell may also have to wait for his Chelsea debut. The former Leicester man, who joined for £50m, has been struggling since his arrival with a heel injury.

Chilwell, 23, is yet to feature in a pre-season match for Chelsea and is lacking match fitness.

Lampard also has major concerns on the other side of his defence as right back Reece James is doubtful with a knock. James was forced to withdraw from the England under-21 squad last week and replaced by his former teammate and now Brighton man Tariq Lamptey.

James is well remembered at the Amex for his bone-shuddering challenge on Brighton left back Dan Burn last season. Burn was out for two months with a fractured collarbone following the 1-1 draw last January.

Chlesea's Christian Pulisic is still battling to overcome his hamstring injury sustained in the FA Cup final against Arsenal and is another player lacking fitness before the trip to the Amex. "It’s going to be touch and go for the start of the season," said Lampard.

Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is suspended but new signings Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Thiago Silva are all available.

Werner in particular has good reason to approach the match with confidence after he scored in the Chelsea's pre-season 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium after just three minutes.

Brighton fine tuned their preparations for the new season with a 0-0 draw against newly-promoted West Brom at the Amex last Saturday.

Potter was without six of his first-team squad with Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Joel Veltman (Holland), Aaron Connolly, Shane Duffy, Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) and Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden) all on international duty.

The Seagulls have added Dutch international defender Joel Veltman to the squad and Adam Lallana signed on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Albion also agreed a new five-year deal with their skipper Lewis Dunk, ending speculation of a £40m summer move to Chelsea.

Brighton also fended off three bids from Leeds United for classy centre back Ben White, who impressed greatly last season while on loan with the Whites.

Shane Duffy signed for Celtic last week on a season long loan and Glenn Murray dropped down to the Championship to join Watford.

Potter's men still hope to add a striker and left back to their ranks before the close of the transfer window and have been linked with Uruguay international striker Darwin Nunez and Stuttgart's front runner Nicolas Gonzalez.

Liverpool's Rhian Brewster is also on their wanted list while Brentford left back Rico Henry remains of interest.

Brighton IN: Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Jensen Weir (Wigan), Lars Dendoncker (Club Brugge), Zak Emmerson (Oldham).

Brighton OUT: Leon Balogun (Rangers), George Cox (Fortuna Sittard), Anthony Knockaert (Fulham), Martin Montoya (Real Betis), Matt Clarke - loan (Derby), Aaron Mooy (Shanghai SIPG), Glenn Murray - loan (Watford), Shane Duffy - loan (Celtic), David Button (West Brom).