CHELSEA fans were left fuming after Jorrel Hato appeared to “add another month” to Cole Palmer’s injury.
The attacker was absent from the squad as the Blues claimed a dramatic stoppage-time win over reigning champions Liverpool.
Palmer, 23, was forced off in the defeat to Manchester United in September with a groin injury.
It was thought that he was closing in on a return to the pitch, but the clash against the Reds came too soon.
He was one of EIGHT Chelsea players to miss the game due to injury and suspension.
The club’s injury woes were exasperated in the match as both Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong were forced off.
They join the likes of Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap who have been suffering from long-term injuries.
Chelsea have also lost both Tosin Adarabioyo and Andrey Santos to the treatment table.
And fans were left concerned for his fitness after Hato’s actions minutes after the full-time whistle.
The players were in celebration mode, having just watched Estevao net a 95th-minute winning goal.
Hato, 19, appeared to take it too far as he playfully jumped into Palmer – causing him to grimace and put his hand on his groin.
Fans were left concerned for the former Manchester City ace after they spotted him checking his injury.
Taking to social media, one posted: “Hato did this at full time to Palmer. His injury really doesn’t look good.”
A second commented: “It doesn’t look good at all.”
A third wrote: “What’s Hato doing?!!”
A fourth said: “That’s him out for another two months.”
Another added: “He is just adding another month to Palmer’s injury for nothing.”
Speaking before the victory, manager Enzo Maresca insisted that there was no update on Palmer’s return.
Although he appeared hopeful that he would be back after the international break.
He said: “I don’t have any update at the moment [on Palmer].
“We have a meeting this week to see how he is and we will then decide [whether he can return after the international break].”
Palmer will miss out on the friendly against Wales at Wembley on Thursday.
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He will also be out for the World Cup qualifier away in Latvia at the Daugava Stadium in Riga on October 14.
Chelsea are next in action on October 18 as they travel to the City Ground to face an out-of-sorts Nottingham Forest.
Maresca will not be on the touchline for the match in the East Midlands as he was sent off after the winning goal.
He was shown a second yellow card for running down the touchline in jubilation.
This now means that assistant manager Willy Caballero will be in charge in the dugout against Forest.
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