Palmer injury worry for Chelsea while Sancho is ruled out again

Enzo Maresca revealed Cole Palmer missed Chelsea training on Tuesday and says Jadon Sancho will again be unavailable for the Conference League clash with FC Noah.

Palmer was on the end of a heavy challenge from Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez towards the end of their 1-1 draw on Sunday.

“He didn’t train yesterday, we will see today if he can train with us,” Maresca said.

Palmer was not named in the Conference League squad with Maresca keen to manage his minutes, but the Chelsea boss is hopeful he will recover in time for the Premier League game against Arsenal on Sunday.

“Hopefully. We hope so. But we need to wait and see and decide,” Maresca added.

Sancho, meanwhile, missed the draw with Man Utd through illness and Maresca says he will miss out against FC Noah too having also picked up an injury in training.

“He is recovering from [illness], he had a knock in the session also. For sure tomorrow he is out and we will see if he can be available for Sunday’s game, otherwise it will be after international break.”

Maresca is again expected to make several changes to the team which faced United for the Conference League clash but the Blues boss has refuted claims he has two separate squads.

He said: “It’s not a problem in terms of the ones that are playing in the Premier League, they also played some games in the Conference League. The last one being Marc Cucurella.

“I have said many times, the ones that are playing in the Premier League doesn’t mean they won’t play in the Conference and if they play in the Conference doesn’t mean they won’t play in the Premier League. This season is so long, we have so many games and for sure they are all going to play Conference League, Premier League or FA Cup.

“I can understand from the outside you can see two teams, but we are just one team, one squad, 24 or 25 players when all fit. We are going to try and use all of them.”