Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update and confirms two more injury blows

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Cole Palmer will miss the next three weeks and revealed another double injury blow ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League game against Brighton.

The England international, 23, has been able to start just twice in the league so far this season, and lasted only 21 minutes at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Palmer will, however, avoid surgery on the groin that has been troubling him since the summer and it is hoped that a period of rest will help fix the problem.

‘We decided to protect a Cole a little bit [to] not let his injury get worse,’ said the Chelsea boss at his pre-match press conference.

‘We decided to rest him for two-three weeks until the international break to see if he can recover 100%.

‘I don’t think he needs surgery. It’s just a matter of managing the pain in his groin.’

Replacing Palmer is far from Maresca’s only concern, meanwhile, with defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana both unavailable for selection.

‘Tosin [Adarabioyo] is injured,’ said Maresca. ‘He will probably be out until the international break, he has a small problem in his calf.

‘Wes Fofana had concussion against Lincoln. The rest are okay.’

Maresca will at least be able to welcome Robert Sanchez back after the under-fire goalkeeper served a one-match suspension in midweek following his red card against Manchester United.

‘Robert [Sanchez] for a long period was very good for us,’ said the Chelsea boss. ‘The last part of last season and the beginning of this season he was fantastic.

‘He made a mistake against Manchester United and recognised that, I said many times that when a keeper makes a mistake or when a midfielder makes a mistake, it is exactly the same.

‘We are happy with Robert, we are happy with Filip [Jorgensen] and there is not any problem with Robert.’