**Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer will be sidelined until December.**
The England international continues to struggle with a groin injury.
Maresca, speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, said: “Unfortunately, he will be out for six more weeks.
“We will try to protect Cole as much as we can and the most important thing is that when he comes back he is fully fit.”
Palmer, 23, has made just three Premier League appearances this season.
He has not played since being forced to go off midway through the first half of the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United almost a month ago.
Asked if he is confident Palmer will be ready to return after the six weeks, Maresca said: “The medical staff are not magicians. We hope six weeks is enough. It is a problem we need to see week by week and step by step.
“He looks very good, he look relaxed and he is doing all the therapy he needs to do.”

**Get the latest direct to your phone – follow West London Sport’s WhatsApp channel**
[Follow](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6d7gFFMqrQ21PR3Q1p)