Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update as Chelsea suffer fresh blow ahead of Brighton

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Cole Palmerwill be out of action for the next few weeks as the Chelsea star recovers from a groin injury.

Palmer was forced to come off during the first half of Chelsea's clash against Manchester United due to a groin injury. The 23-year-old lasted 20 minutes at Old Trafford and could only watch on from the bench as the Blues were defeated 2-1.

The England international was not included in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup win against Lincoln City earlier in the week and now looks set for a spell on the sidelines. Speaking to the media on Friday, Maresca said: "Yeah, we decided to protect a little bit Cole in terms of him not getting a worse injuries. So we decided to rest him for the next two, three weeks, probably until international break, just to see if with that rest he can be able to recover 100% and to be completely fit after the international break."

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The Italian added: "No, I don't think he needs surgery. It's just a matter of managing his pain and his groin. The amount of games is something that can happen. So this is the reason why we try to be conservative with him to give him rest and hopefully he can be 100% fit after the international break."

Maresca also confirmed centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo has picked up a fresh injury and will be out of action until the October international break. Wesley Fofana, meanwhile, is also not available this weekend as per concussion protocol. The Blues boss said: "We have a Tosin injury that probably will be out until the international break.

"He has a small problem in his calf. And then Wes Fofana, that he had a concussion the other day against Lincoln. And the rest, I think they are all okay.

"Romeo and Benoit, they are better. We'll see if they can join us tomorrow. Otherwise it will be for the next one."

Palmer has scored two goals in four appearances this season and his absence will be a big miss in the upcoming weeks. Facundo Buonanotte has impressed in recent games, however, and could be set for a spell in the team, although he is ineligible to play against Brighton this weekend.

"We said that with Cole we are a better team, but we also said that we need to play games without Cole, so we are not going to play with 10 players for sure. We are going to find a different solution," Maresca said.

He added: "Yeah, Buonanotte the other day also, he can play in that position. In general, but it depends a little bit. It depends a little bit on the game, the other team, the way they defend. It depends a little bit."