Chelsea get the Premier League action underway this afternoon away to Nottingham Forest.
Enzo Maresca will not be in the dugout today, serving a one-match ban after he was shown a red card during those jubilant celebrations at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool before the international break.
The Chelsea boss has a long list of injuries and fitness concerns to contend with; chiefly Cole Palmer who will not be available for another six weeks.
There had been hopes he would be available after the international break, pulled out of the firing line at the start of the month to allow time for his persistent groin injury to ease.
But on Friday, Maresca confirmed the earliest we will see the no10 back on the pitch is late November or early December.
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Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Pedro Neto missed training on Thursday having returned from international duty with Argentina, Ecuador and Portugal respectively.
Fernandez returned earlier than planned after being released from the squad with a knee concern. The trio will have the chance to prove their fitness in training on Friday afternoon.
Chelsea were dealing with an injury crisis at the back before the break with Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana joining long-term absentee Levi Colwill on the sidelines. The duo are available again this weekend along with Andrey Santos. Reece James is also fit again after a minor scare he picked up against Liverpool.
But Benoit Badiashile is now set for a spell on the sidelines, ruled out until December with a muscle injury.
Chelsea are seeking to pile more pressure on Ange Postecoglou today.
The former Tottenham manager is still without a win since arriving at the City Ground to replace Nuno Espirito Santo in August.
Reports this week suggest another defeat this afternoon could cost him his job.
Chelsea XI to face Nottingham Forest – Metro prediction
Palmer’s absence means there is a hole to be filled in the no10 role. Fernandez and Facundo Buonanotte are both options but the former may be preferred he deemed fit enough.
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea TV channel and kick-off time
Forest vs Chelsea gets the weekend underway at 12:30pm on Saturday 18 October.
You can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the Discovery+ app