Chelsea hope for major four-man injury boost amid new Cole Palmer fear

Blues optimistic over a number of key returns as important fixtures loom following the international break

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Chelsea expect their injury pile-up to start clearing after the international break, but fear that Cole Palmer will be out until November.

The Blues believe that Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos all missing international duty will help to alleviate the knocks they have been carrying.

Although morale is high following Saturday’s stoppage-time win over Liverpool , Chelsea headed into the latest international break with eight players out injured and plenty more carrying minor issues.

Caicedo, Santos and Joao Pedro have all been playing through differing levels of pain in recent weeks, but Chelsea hope their situations will be helped by the fact that none are away with their countries this month.

Omitted: Moises Caicedo has not been called up to the Ecuador squad this month

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Joao Pedro told Enzo Maresca that he was “not 100 per cent fit” before last month’s 2-2 draw at Brentford , but the Chelsea head coach started him anyway. He was used as a substitute last Tuesday in the Champions League victory over Benfica , when he was sent off late on.

Santos missed both that match and the win over Liverpool with a “small problem” of his own.

Brazil left Santos and Joao Pedro out this month , with head coach Carlo Ancelotti only calling up Estevao Willian from Chelsea’s Brazilian contingent for friendlies in South Korea and Japan.

Ecuador's upcoming matches are also friendlies following the conclusion of World Cup qualifying in South America and Maresca was successful in convincing them not to select Caicedo, explaining that the midfielder needed a rest.

Late last week, Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece said: “About Moises, his coach [Maresca] said he’s injured. He’s not well.”

Captain Reece James was initially selected for England duty by Thomas Tuchel for matches against Wales and Latvia but has since dropped out as a precaution . He sustained a minor issue against Liverpool and it was agreed that the 25-year-old, whose career has been blighted by injuries, would benefit from the rest.

Cole Palmer is still out with a groin strain and is being managed closely by the club’s medical staff.

Maresca initially said he would return after the international break, but England boss Tuchel admitted last week that he would be “surprised” if the attacker was back for Chelsea’s trip to Nottingham Forest on October 18.

Chelsea captain Reece James pulled out of the latest England squad

Getty Images

There is a feeling at Chelsea that rushing him back would not be the sensible approach, with reports now circulating that Palmer will be out until November.

Wesley Fofana returned to first-team training this week after completing the necessary 12-day protocol following a concussion sustained against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup, so he will be fit to face Forest.

Tosin Adarabioyo may also be back for that game to help alleviate Chelsea’s defensive crisis, with a calf injury not expected to keep him sidelined after the international break.

Trevoh Chalobah will return from a one-match suspension, while assistant coach Willy Caballero allayed fears over Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong after both players were forced off against Liverpool. Acheampong has since been training with the England Under-21s .

Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are longer-term absentees and their returns are not expected for months.

Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez now faces a tight turnaround for the lunchtime meeting with Forest after Argentina’s friendly against Puerto Rico was moved from Chicago to Florida and pushed back from Monday to Tuesday.

Chelsea’s injury pile-up is seen by many as a direct consequence of their participation and triumph at the summer’s Club World Cup, which elongated last season by two months.

After travelling to Nottingham Forest after the international break, Chelsea host Ajax in the Champions League and entertain Sunderland before a Carabao Cup last-16 trip to Wolves is followed by a clash with Tottenham.