Enzo Maresca clarifies injury theory involving Cole Palmer and Chelsea teammate

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Cole Palmer has been ruled out for a further six weeks with the Chelsea star continuing his recovery from a groin injury that has disrupted him since back in August

Enzo Maresca has clarified Jorrel Hato jumping on Cole Palmer in the aftermath of the win over Liverpool did not aggravate an existing injury for the latter.

Palmer has been ruled out for a further six weeks with a groin injury that has plagued him since August when he limped out of the warm-up prior to the win over West Ham United. The 23-year-old returned a few weeks later at Brentford but just a week later, he hobbled off the pitch at Old Trafford.

The England international has been unavailable ever since. There was hope, however, Palmer would return after the recently-concluded international break, but during Friday's press conference, Maresca ruled his star attacker out for another six weeks.

"Unfortunately he needs to be out probably for six more weeks," the Chelsea head coach explained. "We just try to protect Cole as much as we can and the most important thing is that."

Six weeks from now means Palmer would be back for the late-November period, with Chelsea taking on Barcelona and Arsenal in that period. football.london understands the Blues hope the six-week timeframe will be when Palmer returns to playing, rather than training.

Either way, Palmer's injury was not aggravated by Hato's exuberant celebrations post-Liverpool. Palmer, who was at Stamford Bridge to watch his teammates score a stoppage time winner against the champions, was on the pitch at full-time and Hato jumped on his shoulders.

Palmer could be seen wincing afterwards, before sharing a smile with the Dutchman. "No," Maresca responded when asked if Hato's celebrations made Palmer's problem worse. "We already knew from before the Liverpool game because we had a meeting before the game about the injury situation.

"So we already knew Cole would be out for a further six weeks. So it is nothing to do with the celebration."

Maresca will not be on the touchline during Chelsea's trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. The Blues head coach was handed a one-match touchline ban and an £8000 fine for receiving a red card following his celebration after Estevao Willian's last minute winner against Liverpool.

The Italian was already on a yellow card after Anthony Taylor cautioned him for dissent, and he was then sent down the tunnel for running down the touchline in stoppage time to celebrate with his players. While Maresca believes the fine is a tad excessive, the Chelsea boss insisted he was just living in the moment.

"It's a lot but it's the rule," Maresca said on his fine. "I think it was a reaction, a nice reaction, I was very happy in that moment. And that I need to accept the consequences. I'm quite happy to accept the consequences after that goal."