Chelsea forward has played once under Thomas Tuchel
Enzo Maresca confirms Reece James fit for Forest trip
Enzo Maresca has said Cole Palmer will miss another six weeks with a groin injury, raising doubts over whether the Chelsea forward will be able to regain his England place before the 2026 World Cup.
Palmer, who has been unavailable during the past two international breaks, has been struggling with his fitness since the start of the season and has not played since limping off against Manchester United last month. Chelsea have tried to manage the 23-year-old’s groin injury with rest and are confident it does not need surgery but Maresca has dashed hopes of his most influential player making a swift return.
“Unfortunately he needs to be out for another six weeks,” Chelsea’s head coach said as he prepared for his side’s trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. “We try to protect Cole as much as we can. The most important thing is when he comes back he is fully fit. The medical staff are not magicians. We hope six weeks are enough.”
