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Chelsea injury update: Cole Palmer, Reece James and Romeo Lavia latest news and return dates

Chelsea are on a high going into a huge week in which they face Barcelona and Arsenal.

The Blues moved up to second in the Premier League with a 2-0 win away at Burnley on Saturday as they picked up where they left off before the international break.

Next up for Enzo Maresca’s side is a huge Champions League showdown with Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Chelsea then host Arsenal in a crunch top-of-the-table clash in the Premier League on Sunday.

Cole Palmer is closing in on a return but has suffered a minor setback in his recovery.

Ahead of a big week, here is the latestChelsea injury news and potential return dates…

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer suffered a setback in his recovery from a groin injury when he fractured his toe in a freak accident at home last week.

The 23-year-old was on the verge of a return after two months out but stubbed the little toe on his left foot on a door.

Chelsea hope his comeback will not be delayed too long and the injury is not thought to be serious.

Cole Palmer suffered a freak injury at home last week (Getty Images)

Palmer’s left boot has been adapted, with more cushioning added to the area around his injured little toe in a bid to speed up his return.

Maresca has ruled Palmer out of the Barcelona and Arsenal games but Chelsea hope he will be able to return to training this week.

If all goes well, Chelsea hope Palmer could return early in December.

The Blues face Leeds away on December 3 before a trip to Bournemouth on December 6.

Maresca said last week: “He is probably not available for [Burnley] for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure. It is nothing important, but he won’t be back in the next week.

“It can happen. He was very close. He was back with us almost with the groin, which is very good news, but he has this small problem.”

Potential return date: Early December

Reece James

Enzo Maresca played down any injury concerns around Reece James after the Chelsea captain was substituted at half-time against Burnley.

Some fans were fearing the worst when James was brought off at Turf Moor.

Reece James was brought off at half-time at Burnley (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

But Maresca said it was planned before the game for James to play 45 minutes and then be given a rest in the second half, as Chelsea bid to “protect” his fitness.

“The idea was to manage Reece,” said Maresca. “This is the reason why he played 45 minutes [only]. It was planned.

“It's not easy, because me personally, I would like Reece to continue, but we need to protect Reece.”

Potential return date: November 25, 2025 vs Barcelona (h)

Romeo Lavia

Romeo Lavia has been sidelined again by another injury.

Lavia suffered a quad injury four minutes into the 2-2 Champions League draw at Qarabag on December 5 and was ruled out for at least a month.

Romeo Lavia has endured more injury frustration (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

The midfielder has been prevented from completing a full 90 minutes for Chelsea because of hamstring, thigh and other unspecified injuries.

“We feel a shame for him,” said Maresca. “He's not able to be fit for a long, long period. We will see now.”

Potential return date: December

Dario Essugo

Dario Essugo suffered a thigh injury playing for Portugal Under-21s in September and was forced to undergo surgery. He is not expected to return until early next year.

Potential return date: January

Levi Colwill

Levi Colwill is expected to miss the majority of the season with the serious knee injury he suffered in the first training session back after the Club World Cup.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

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