How many games will Nicolas Jackson miss because of AFCON and when will he return? Chelsea striker to depart after Luton match

Chelsea are set to be deprived of Nicolas Jackson's services this month as he takes part in the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

The striker has endured a mixed start to life in west London and he's now set to miss a few games for the Blues.

Chelsea face cup and league games across January and February, meaning Mauricio Pochettino will be left with just one out-and-out striker for a period of time.

How many games will Jackson miss?

The 2024 AFCON is set to be held in the Ivory Coast.

The group stages get underway on Saturday, January 13, with Senegal's first game of the tournament taking place on Monday, January 15 against Gambia.

However, the Lions of Teranga have a friendly against Niger a week before that, which meant the win over Luton on December 30 was his last.

He missed the FA Cup third round tie win over Preston and won't feature in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough.

The Premier League match against Fulham is sandwiched between the two-legged semi, meaning he will also miss that one.

The group stages for the AFCON end on January 24, so if Senegal go out, Jackson would miss four games.

When will Jackson return?

If the defending champions don't make it past the group stages, the 22-year-old would be back for the fourth round of the FA Cup, which takes place on the weekend of January 27-28.

Should Senegal go all the way to the final, Jackson wouldn't be back until after February 11.

If this were to happen, the striker would also miss league games against Liverpool, Wolves and Crystal Palace, but he would be back for the trip to Manchester City on February 17.