Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca faces a nervy wait over some of his key players ahead of his return to former club Leicester City this weekend.
The Italian earned promotion back to the Premier League with Leicester last season, but made the move to Stamford Bridge in the summer. Saturday’s early kick off (12.30pm) will be the first time he has returned to the King Power Stadium since his exit.
Chelsea go into the game following back-to-back 1-1 draws with Manchester United and Arsenal. But those games have caused some injury worries ahead of the return of the Premier League.
Key man Cole Palmer suffered a knee injury in the draw against United. Despite playing the full 90 minutes against Arsenal, he pulled out of the England squad for the current international break, therefore making him a doubt for the clash against Leicester.
Three other players also pulled out of international duty due to injury concerns. Defender Levi Colwill withdrew from the England squad due to an undisclosed injury while Malo Gusto pulled out of the France squad due to injury too.
Wesley Fofana was the fourth player to not join up with his international squad due to an injury concern. The defender felt pain in his knee during the draw with Arsenal and withdrew from the France squad to be assessed by Chelsea.
Despite being substituted in the second half against Arsenal midfielder Romeo Lavia did join up with the Belgium squad over the international break. He missed both 1-0 defeats against Italy and Israel, and Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco confirmed a hamstring problem .
Summer signing Jadon Sancho has missed the last two Premier League games through both illness and injury. That therefore makes him a slight doubt for the clash against Leicester.
One player who will definitely be missing is fellow summer signing Omari Kellyman. The former Aston Villa man is expected to be out until at least late November with a hamstring injury.
Leave a Reply