**Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer has withdrawn from the England squad due to a muscular injury.**
The 24-year-old won’t take part in the Nations League fixtures against Spain, Croatia and Czechia.
It is believed that the Blues’ medical team are concerned that Palmer could pick up a long-term injury if he did play for his country during the international break.
However, it is expected that the midfielder will be available for Chelsea’s next fixture.
**Expected Return Date – Saturday 10th October vs Bournemouth (h)**
The Brazilian [**sustained a knee injury**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-injury-news-joao-pedro/) against Hull City, and he was subsequently unavailable for the 3-0 defeat to Brentford.
Pedro has already pulled out of international duty, but he is set to be back in contention within a few weeks.
**Expected Return Date – Saturday 10th October vs Bournemouth (h)**
Moises Caicedo
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The 25-year-old has not linked up with Ecuador for their friendlies against South Korea and Japan.
However, Caicedo is said to be winning his fitness battle as he tries to overcome a troublesome calf issue that has limited him to just 14 minutes of action this season. He was reportedly close to making the squad for the Brentford game, so his comeback has been pencilled in for after the international break.
**Expected Return Date – Saturday 10th October vs Bournemouth (h)**
Reece James
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Speaking on Friday, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso revealed that the club captain came close to playing against Brentford:
“He had a little injury in his hamstring. He tried; we waited until this morning, but he couldn’t make it. Now we have enough time to prepare for the next one. He was just short of recovering.”
James was not included in the England squad, but there are no concerns that he will be sidelined for an extended period.
If all goes to plan, the right-back should be in the matchday squad for Chelsea’s next game.
**Expected Return Date – Saturday 10th October vs Bournemouth (h)**
Marco Palestra
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Alonso spoke before the Brentford game that if the Italian didn’t make the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium, he would “for sure” be back after the international break.
Palestra has still not made his competitive debut for Chelsea, having picked up an unspecified injury before the start of the season.
**Expected Return Date – Saturday 10th October vs Bournemouth (h)**
Emmanuel Emegha
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The striker appears to have suffered more than one setback after initially sustaining a hamstring injury during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Bromley back in July.
Emegha has not had a pre-season as a result, and while he has been pictured in training over the past couple of weeks, there has been no update on his current fitness.
**Expected Return Date – Unknown**