Chelsea will travel to Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime without a key player of Enzo Maresca's team after Tuesday night's Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City
Enzo Maresca standing on the pitch.
Chelsea will be without a key player when they travel to Newcastle.
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Chelsea will be without highly-rated winger Estevao Willian for Saturday lunchtime's Premier League clash with Newcastle United after he missed the Blues' Carabao Cup triumph over Cardiff City due to a muscular issue.
Estevao was left out of the squad that beat the League One outfit on Tuesday night. When questioned about the Brazilian's omission from the matchday squad for Tuesday evening's Carabao Cup encounter, Maresca informed football.london: "He had a small problem, a muscle problem. He won't be available for Newcastle, and we'll see for the next one."
The 18-year-old has made quite an impression since his summer switch to London from Palmeiras, with the youngster netting five times across 21 outings, thus far. Maresca has been mindful of managing the winger's workload, though, and Estevao has been limited to substitute appearances in recent fixtures.
Players such as Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho have been given the nod ahead of the teenager though, had he been available, Estevao would likely have featured in some capacity during Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Cardiff. He now awaits a spell on the treatment table, however, and won't make his comeback until after Chelsea's Premier League encounter at Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime.
It comes as a boost for Eddie Howe and Newcastle. After last week's derby defeat to Sunderland, the Magpies are looking for an instant response in the Premier League.
First, though, they welcome Fulham to St James' Park in their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie on Wednesday night. However, Howe has admitted that defender Dan Burn is expected to miss a number of weeks after suffering a rib and lung injury at the weekend.
Newcastle United's Dan Burn receives treatment for his injury.
Newcastle United's Dan Burn receives treatment for his injury.(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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The defender was involved in a collision with Nordi Mukiele and was forced to withdraw, before later going to the hospital. "It was a big blow for us because I think he's been excellent in recent weeks," Howe said. "It's a rib problem and an issue with his lungs, so we wish him well and it will be around four to six weeks out."
Howe added further clarity on team news ahead of Wednesday night's game: "The back-line is an issue for us. We don't have many injuries, but we have a concentrated group of players that all play in the same position.
"With Sven (Botman), we're not entirely sure when he'll return. He's made good progress but he's not ready to play yet. Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier are still out and their target date will be around the new year we think.
"Jamaal Lascelles is returning from a muscle problem. He's fit and training with the group."
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