The Chelsea forward scored 17 league goals last term and spearheaded Steve Bruce’s side’s drive for a place in European competition but has failed to recreate the devastating goalscoring form as the new season got under way.

But the club have announced he is likely to miss Saturday’s home clash with Charlton due to an ongoing knee problem which "has recently worsened".

Bruce told the club’s official website, bcfc.com: “Mikael Forsell is a major doubt because he’s got a very sore knee.”

It is not clear whether being rested will solve the Finland international’s problem, or whether surgery is required.

Either way, his absence from the starting line-up will give Clinton Morrison and Dwight Yorke the chance to go head-to-head in a battle to partner Emile Heskey in attack.

On a brighter note for Bruce, long-term injury victim David Dunn may be set for a surprise recall against the Addicks after coming through a practice match unscathed.

Dunn played for 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Black Country rivals West Brom as he battles back from a series of hamstring injuries.

“We’ll see how he is and if he has come through okay then it will put him into contention for Saturday,” Bruce added.

“It is seven weeks since he got the injury. He has done all the training we have asked him to do and if we feel that he is ready to return then he will play some part on Saturday.”

Dunn has visited a number of specialists in a bid to overcome the problems and has been given injections into the nerve of his back to try to cure the injury.