Maresca has confirmed an injury blowplaceholder image
Maresca has confirmed an injury blow | Getty Images
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed an injury blow ahead of the weekend’s clash with Newcastle United.
Cardiff currently lead League One by four points after five straight wins, and their fine form showed. The Welsh side had the better of the game in the first half, leading to Maresca bringing on Joao Pedro and Alejandro Garnacho at half-time.
Garnacho scored the opener, but Cardiff still hit back, with David Turnbull scoring a superb header. But Pedro Neto went on to score after being brought on, and Garnacho scored again at the death with Cardiff pushing for an equaliser.
Chelsea were good value for their win based on their second half, with the regulars certainly doing their part to pull Maresca’s men through to the final four. A number of fringe stars failed to make their impression in South Wales, and one player was absent altogether.
Estevao Willian was expected to be involved but Maresca has confirmed that his absence is down to an injury that will also see him miss the weekend’s clash with Newcastle United.
“Estevao has a small muscular problem, a light injury,” Maresca explained when asked why the Brazilian was not involved at the sold out Cardiff City Stadium. “He won’t be available for Newcastle but we will see for the next one. I think he can be available for the next one.”
The Newcastle clash is a big one for Chelsea, who need to find some real consistency to plant their flag in the top four race. The Blues are back in fourth after the win over Everton, but they need to back that up against a resolute Magpies side that will be hungry for blood after a somewhat surprising Tyne-Wear derby defeat at Sunderland last time out.
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