COLE PALMER will be out of action until after the next international break, Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
Palmer, 23, has been dealing with a groin issue since the second match of the season.
The Chelsea star has completed 90 minutes just once in the league this season while battling with the problem.
While he was forced off in the 18th minute during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Maresca has now revealed that he plans to rest Palmer to allow him to fully recover from injury rather than risk making things worse.
The Blues manager said: “We decided to protect a little bit Cole in terms of his injuries not getting worse.
“We decided to rest him for the next two or three weeks before the international break to see if he can recover 100% and be fully fit from the international break.”
It’s a blow for Chelsea fans as it means Palmer will now miss clashes against Brighton and Liverpool in the Premier League and Benfica in the Champions League.
While Thomas Tuchel will also be frustrated by the news, which likely rules Palmer out of England’s games against Wales and Latvia during next month’s international break.
Palmer’s groin injury already saw him miss the September camp, skipping out on wins over Andorra and Serbia earlier this month.
Fortunately, it appears the injury will not cause long-term problems after Maresca confirmed Palmer does not require surgery.
He added: “I don’t think he needs surgery.
“It’s a matter of managing his pain in his groin, with the amount of games, it is something that can happen.”
Tosin Adarabioyo has also picked up a fresh injury that will see him ruled out until the international break.
Maresca explained: “We have Tosin injured and will probably be out until international break. He has a small problem in his calf.”
Chelsea have already lost other big name players like Levi Colwill and Liam Delap through injury this season.
When asked if the Blues’ Club World Cup exploits could be to blame for the injury riddled start to the campaign, Maresca said: “In this moment, for different reasons, we have problems.
“We have seven or eight players out. Is this a consequence of last season? I don’t know.”
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