Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will be without Nicolas Jackson for "six to eight weeks" after the Chelsea striker picked up a hamstring injury in their win over West Ham. 

Jackson was replaced by Marc Guiu in the 52nd minute of their 2-1 win over the Hammers earlier this month, with scans revealing the issue is worse than the club first feared. 

This season, only Cole Palmer (14) has scored more Premier League goals for Chelsea than Jackson (nine), with his absence leaving the Blues without a recognised striker. 

Guiu also picked up a serious groin injury against West Ham, with Maresca allowing Joao Felix to complete a deadline day loan move to AC Milan until the end of the season. 

"Nico [Jackson] will be out until the international break, probably available after the international break," Maresca said.

"We knew it was a muscular problem, but not how important it was. His reaction was quite good, so we all thought it wasn't a big injury.

"Unfortunately, he had the scan, and it is an important one - he will be out for around six to eight weeks."

Chelsea return to Premier League action at the Amex Stadium against Brighton on Friday, the venue that saw their FA Cup campaign come to an end last weekend. 

The Blues have lost just one of their seven Premier League away games against Brighton (W4 D2), but will face a difficult test against the Seagulls without Jackson. 

Indeed, Chelsea are currently on the longest winless streak away from home in the top-flight (D2 L2), going four without victory since beating Spurs 4-3 in December. 

Maresca handed a rare start to Christopher Nkunku in their FA Cup defeat to Fabian Hurzeler's side, and said the Frenchman is an option to fill the gap left by Jackson's injury. 

"Christo is a solution, but not the only solution. I have said many times I consider Christo a very important player from the start," Maresca said.

"With the transfer window closed, everyone is here, and he can help us. We are working to find a different solution. It could be Christo but also a different kind of player."

Wingers Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke and Tyrique George were also mentioned as possible alternatives by the Chelsea boss.

"Could be a solution," he said. "Pedro, Noni or even Tyrique, they can try and be a solution for us. Jadon has different kinds of skills.

"When you don't have a proper nine, you need to use a different kind of nine, but you need to change the way you play. We will find a solution."