Why Cole Palmer is not in Chelsea squad for Champions League clash against Atalanta

Cole Palmer's return to full fitness continues to be gradual with Enzo Maresca leaving the England international out of the squad for this evening's Champions League tie with Atalanta

Cole Palmer has been left out of the Chelsea squad for Tuesday night's Champions League league phase trip to Atalanta as part of his integrated return to action from injury.

The England international had been suffering from a recurring groin injury earlier this season before his comeback was delayed by a fractured toe. Palmer made his first appearance since September off the bench against Leeds United before starting in the draw at AFC Bournemouth.

He played 58 minutes before Joao Pedro replaced him. However, Palmer's return to full fitness and availability is being closely monitored by Chelsea over the winter schedule.

Palmer was not involved in training at Cobham on Monday ahead of the trip to Italy. football.london understands that the absence is simply part of an integrated return to action and Enzo Maresca is hoping to have him back for Everton at the weekend.

"[He] played half an hour the other day, played one hour today," Maresca said after Bournemouth. "So now it's important that he can build the physical condition."

With Palmer out of the squad at Bergamo, Maresca made five changes to the side that drew 0-0 at the Vitality Stadium. Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong came into the backline to replace Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto.

Moises Caicedo returned to the starting XI after missing the last two games. Jamie Gittens replaces Alejandro Garnacho in attack, selected ahead of Estevao, with Joao Pedro starting at centre-forward after Liam Delap's injury.

The 22-year-old was forced off in the first half of the draw at Bournemouth after appearing to injure his right shoulder. Delap seemed to land awkwardly in the aftermath of a collision with Marcos Senesi before using his shirt as a make-shift sling as he made his way off the pitch.

football.london understands that the summer signing will be unavailable for the remainder of the year, with him set to miss four weeks. It's yet another blow for the 22-year-old, who has already faced a stop-start beginning to his carer in west London so far.

"Liam, as I said at the beginning, fortunately he's not got any fracture," Chelsea boss Maresca said. That is good news for us. Now for how long he will be out, not sure to be honest."

On the possibility of replacing him with others in the squad, the Chelsea coach added: "And then in terms of Raheem, once again it's the same thing I said about Axel [Disasi], they are Chelsea players. Now also we are in December, January is coming, so anything can happen. We'll see.”

Chelsea are in a great position to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The Blues have beat Benfica, Ajax and Barcelona in their first five games, drawing to Qarabag and losing to Bayern Munich.

Maresca's men are currently in the top eight and they will take a huge step towards finishing in the last 16 with another three points against Atalanta. They face Pafos and Napoli in their final two games in the new year.