Delap's injury worse than first thought as Chelsea star's return date revealed

CHELSEA have been dealt a major injury blow with Liam Delap's injury worse than first feared.

However, the striker does not need surgery on his hamstring.

2 Liam Delap's injury is worse than first feared Credit: Reuters

2 He suffered the hamstring tear against Fulham on August 30 Credit: Alamy

Delap, 22, hobbled off early on in the controversial win over Fulham on August 30.

Boss Enzo Maresca initially thought his £30million transfer from Ipswich would miss six to eight weeks.

But it is clear he will miss significantly more than that.

Now The Athletic report Delap will not return to training until November.

It will then take him some time to get back up to match fitness.

However, that does mean he should be available for the hectic festive fixtures.

Delap's absence just before deadline day prompted Chelsea to spring into action.

They initially called off Nicolas Jackson's loan move to Bayern Munich - just minutes after the striker touched down in Germany.

However, they allowed the deal to go through because the Blues recalled Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland.

Guiu, 19, scored one goal in three appearances from the newly-promoted Black Cats.

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Chelsea Liam Delap Injury Update Premier League