Marco Silva has backed Andre Gomes to come back stronger from a horrific injury.
Gomes is facing a lengthy lay-off after a foul by Son Heung-min which sent the Everton midfielder colliding into Serge Aurier during a 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
The Portugal international was taken to hospital by ambulance with the gruesome-looking injury, which is expected to sideline him for the season.
But Blues manager Silva is confident that his compatriot’s spell on the sidelines will see him return to first-team action as an improved all-round figure.
He said: “It was a really tough moment for us, forgetting the game and result.
“Andre will have all the support he needs from us.
“It is a serious injury and I am 100 per cent sure Andre will become stronger as a footballer player and stronger as a man.
“He is a fantastic lad and professional and all the support he needs, he will have from us.
“Our players are sad now, it is a tough moment in our dressing room but the spirit we showed after that moment was good.
“It was the toughest moment for us this season.”