Chelsea have to contend with another injury with Wayne Bridge out until February with a knee ligament problem.
The left-back, 26, is set to be sidelined for a fortnight and his absence will further stretch manager Jose Mourinho's options in defence.
John Terry is still out with a back problem and Khalid Boulahrouz is also nursing a knee ligament injury.
"Wayne's an important option but now he is out too. It's not a big deal, but a couple of weeks," said Mourinho.
Bridge began the season in fine form but has since had a battle on for a starting berth following the signing of fellow England international Ashley Cole.
He has started Chelsea's last three matches and played the Cup games against Macclesfield and Wycombe in an advanced role with Cole at full-back.
"I just like to play, whether it's in midfield or up front in a three," he said before scoring Chelsea's goal in their 1-1 Carling Cup draw at Wycombe.
He will miss the second leg of that semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, along with three Premiership matches and the FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest, if the initial prognosis of two weeks out is correct.
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