Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that midfielder Cole Palmer will be sidelined for another six weeks.
Palmer has been out since Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 20, when he was forced off midway through the first half.
Maresca had initially hoped the 23-year-old would return after the international break but admitted on Friday that the recovery would take longer than expected.
“I was wrong. Unfortunately, he needs to be out for probably six more weeks. So, yes, this is the update,” Maresca said.
The Italian manager added that Palmer would not require surgery.
“We’re just trying to protect Cole as much as we can, and the most important thing is that when he comes back, he’s fully recovered,” he said.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash against Nottingham Forest, Maresca acknowledged the challenge of replacing “one of the best players in the Premier League.”
“For sure, we need to find a different solution, we need to find different skills, because we don’t have another player like Cole,” he said. “Because Cole is unique.”
