Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has returned to training and is available after recovering from a toe fracture and groin injury. Moises Caicedo is suspended for the next two Premier League matches after a red card. Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are out until the new year, while Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee.
According to a report from Football London, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faces mixed news regarding player availability ahead of the Premier League clash against Bournemouth this Saturday.
The squad is bolstered by the full return of attacker Cole Palmer, who has recovered from a toe fracture and a groin injury.
Palmer, who had returned to action for the final 29 minutes against Leeds United, could be available from the start for the trip to Bournemouth.
Conversely, the team will be without central midfielder Moises Caicedo, who is currently suspended after receiving a straight red card for serious foul play against Arsenal.
This ban means he will miss the next two Premier League matches (against Bournemouth and Everton), though he will be available for the Champions League match against Atalanta.
Midfield concerns continue with Romeo Lavia still recovering from a thigh injury. His return is not expected until the new year, potentially for the match against Manchester City on January 4th.
Maresca also provided an update on fellow midfielder Dario Essugo, who recently returned to training after surgery, hinting at a setback by stating that “he needs to slow down a little bit.”
His expected return is also in the new year. Additionally, Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee after undergoing ACL surgery and is expected to be sidelined for a significant period, potentially for the entire campaign.
Finally, Marc Cucurella and Estevao Willian are both on three yellow cards, meaning two more bookings before Premier League game-week 19 will result in a one-match ban.