Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has admitted that he does not expect Cole Palmer to return in time to face Arsenal this weekend.
Palmer has been sidelined since mid-September due to an initial groin issue, but the England international has suffered a bizarre setback, which has further delayed his return.
The 23-year-old suffered a toe fracture at home last week, in circumstances that had previously remained mysterious.
Speaking ahead of facing his former club, Barcelona, on Tuesday, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella shed some light on the nature of the injury, making the situation even more unfortunate.
“It was a FIFA game or something, I think," he revealed.
Maresca offered an update on Palmer's condition, conceding that he is unlikely to return to action this weekend, when Chelsea host Arsenal, despite wearing a protective boot.
"Yeah [wearing a boot means he can return to training sooner]," he said. "We don't know when, but for sure it will be soon.
"He's already on the pitch, he's already touching the ball, and the feeling is good.
"We are focused on tomorrow's game, and then after that we will start to think about Arsenal. I don't think so [he will feature against Arsenal], at the moment."