COLE PALMER is set to be out until November as he battles a groin injury.
The Chelsea star, 23, has been limited to just four appearances in all competitions so far this term.
Palmer originally suffered the injury during the Blues’ two-week pre-season.
The attacker was able to play the full 90 minutes as Enzo Maresca’s side opened their season with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace.
But the persistent groin issue subsequently ruled him out of matches against West Ham and Fulham, going into the September international break.
Palmer returned from the bench at Brentford on September 13, impressing and scoring in a 2-2 draw.
He then netted again in a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich four days later, playing the full 90.
The following Saturday, Palmer limped off just 21 minutes into Chelsea’s disastrous 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, with boss Maresca having already substituted Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian following Robert Sanchez’s early red card.
Palmer’s groin injury has kept him out of both England camps so far this season.
Upon announcing his squad last Friday, Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel admitted that he is concerned Palmer’s issue could be “chronic”.
According to the Mail, Chelsea bosses are targeting a November return for their star man.
Medical chiefs do NOT expect Palmer to require surgery on the issue, instead believing that rest should be sufficient to heal the injury.
Chelsea’s No10 is set to miss matches against Nottingham Forest, Ajax, Sunderland and Wolves.
He faces an uphill battle to be fit for the trip to rivals Tottenham in November 1.
Read the full article here