Chelsea face an extended period without striker Joao Pedro due to a knee injury
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Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has been seeing a specialist during the international in a bid to speed up his recovery from injury. The Brazilian was forced to withdraw from Carlo Ancelotti's side for their friendlies against Australia and India with a problem.
Pedro missed the defeat on the eve of the break due to a knee injury, watching on as the Blues suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brentford, their second defeat under Xabi Alonso. According to the Standard, the 25-year-old has been seeing a specialist to help boost his recovery.
Reports in Brazil following news of his withdrawal suggested that he was expected to be sidelined for up to a month.
Pedro was said to have felt discomfort in his knee during the 2-2 draw with Hull City, earlier this month.
It was hoped that he could shrug off the problem to be fit to face Brentford less than a week later but he failed to come through the tests.
The Chelsea boss will be hoping to have his striker back fit and firing upon the resumption of the Premier League, after the attacker netted three goals and provided as many assists in four outing this term.
The Blues return to action on October 10 when they host Bournemouth. The visit from the Cherries kicks off a busy, and important, period for Chelsea with clashes against Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool (Carabao Cup) and Manchester United before the beginning of November.
Alonso has already spoken highly about the striker so far this season, pipping him alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and Karim Benzema.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso(Image: Andrew Redington)
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"If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I'm sure that João is there, Haaland for sure is there.
"So I would rate him that way. He has a very strong goal this year: to have a great season, to score many goals, and to be a nominee for not just this month but more months.
"I am not surprised, but really happy with the kind of player that we have here with João."
Cole Palmer also sparked injury concerns at Stamford Bridge after he was forced to pull out of the England squad for the international break.
The Chelsea star has endured a torrid time with injury and it was said that his withdrawal was due to managing the load of the Englishman.