Chelsea injury latest as Cole Palmer update given and two ruled out for Fulham clash

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer will miss Saturday's clash with Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer, 23, picked up a groin injury before last Friday's thumping win against West Ham and won't be risked to face Marco Silva's Cottagers this weekend.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Maresca revealed that Palmer, Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia won't be involved during Chelsea's next Premier League fixture.

Maresca said: "Cole is out, Benoit is out, Romeo is out. The rest are okay.

"I'm always worried but with Romeo and Benoit, because it is a long time out, it is normal they need time. It's the same what we're doing with Wes [Fofana]."

"Cole, we need to see day by day. Romeo and Benoit, I don't think they will be back after the international break but they will be closer," Maresca added, when pressed on Palmer.

England international Palmer had been named on Maresca's teamsheet to take on West Ham in the 8pm kick-off, only to be withdrawn from the starting XI after injuring himself in the warm-up.

He was spotted walking off and down the tunnel alongside fitness coach Marcos Alvarez. Maresca told Sky Sports reporter David Craig that Palmer "felt something" and his absence was "precautionary".

Since, Palmer has not been spotted in first-team training with the rest of his Chelsea teammates and questions had been raised about whether he is going to be available to face Fulham on Saturday.

Now, Maresca has confirmed that he won't feature against Fulham, while Thomas Tuchel has left him out of England's squad for two World Cup qualifiers during the September international break.

"I spoke with Thomas a few times," Maresca continued. "It's Thomas' decision. He's not available tomorrow so it is quite normal that he has shown he has some problems."

There is hope that Palmer can recover in time for Chelsea's Premier League trip to Brentford after the two-week hiatus. The Blues then kickstart their Champions League campaign with their first game yet to be confirmed.

Maresca's side discovered their opponents for Europe's elite club competition on Thursday, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Atalanta, Ajax, Napoli, Pafos, Qarabag to face the Blues.

Delivering his reflection on the draw, Maresca said: We are happy to be in the draw. Now the draw is always a draw, the only thing I can say is that it is nice to be there."

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