Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer is set for a spell on the sidelines, with the club confirming he will be rested for up to three weeks to manage a recurring groin problem.
The 22-year-old was forced off in the first half of last weekend’s defeat at Manchester United after the injury resurfaced, having first troubled him during Chelsea’s shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup triumph in July.
Manager Enzo Maresca said the decision was taken to avoid aggravating the issue. “We decided to protect Cole, in terms of not letting his injury get worse.
Resting him for two to three weeks until the international break should give him time to recover fully,” he explained. “I don’t think he needs surgery — it’s just about managing the pain.”
Palmer has featured in only three of Chelsea’s seven matches this season and also missed England’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly on 9 October before travelling to Latvia for a qualifier five days later.
Maresca will also be without defender Tosin Adarabioyo until after the international break due to a calf injury, while Wesley Fofana is ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Brighton through concussion.
