Cole Palmer is set to miss the next six weeks for Chelsea with head coach Enzo Maresca warning that the club’s medical staff are “not magicians”.
The 23-year-old has been struggling with a groin injury for much of the season and has not played since being taken off 20 minutes into the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on September 20.
Prior to the international break Maresca said he had hoped to have Palmer back for Saturday’s game at Nottingham Forest but, when asked about the progress of the injury, he admitted: “I was wrong. Unfortunately he needs to be out probably six more weeks.
“We try just to protect Cole as much as we can. The most important thing is that when he comes back he’s fully fit.
“Unfortunately the medical staff are not magicians. You never know that (timeframe). Probably he needs six weeks. We hope six weeks are enough. It’s a problem we need to see step by step, week after week.”
The injury, which first presented when he was forced to withdraw from the line-up minutes before kick-off in the 5-1 win over West Ham in August, will not require surgery.
“He looks relaxed,” said Maresca. “He’s doing all the therapy that he needs to do. He looks good.”
There was mixed injury news elsewhere in the squad with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto all doubts for the trip to the City Ground.
However Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana are set to return to ease Maresca’s selection issues in defence while Andrey Santos is also back.
“Moises, Enzo, Pedro didn’t take part in the session yesterday, we’ll see if they can train today otherwise they’ll be out for tomorrow.
“Reece (James) is fully fit.”
