Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend when they host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge
Xabi Alonso in Chelsea training.
Xabi Alonso in Chelsea training(Image: Chelsea FC)
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Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso will be buoyed heading into Saturday's clash with Bournemouth following a major injury boost after the international break.
While some Premier League clubs were dealt injury blows over the recent three-week break from top-flight football, the Blues were able to rest several key players who had been dealing with knocks.
Cole Palmer, Reece James, Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra will all be fit enough to feaure against the Cherries this weekend.
"Yes, he's ready to go," Alonso said when asked about Caicedo. "We have used the time with Moi to get him back fit. He's ready to go.
"Any team missing a player of his quality, his dynamic, we have missed him for sure. We are happy he is back, and he feels better. We didn't want to take risks for Brentford, for example. He feels much better."
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When pressed on the fitness of Palmer, James, and Pedro, Alonso said: "Yes, they have been able to train, some of them more than others. Marco Palestra as well. That was the plan. They have trained well, and they are ready to go."
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Jamie Gittens, however, will be absent from the fixture. The Chelsea winger sustained an ankle injury last week during the England Under-21s' encounter with Kazakhstan in a 2027 European Championship qualifier at Molineux.
He was subsequently pictured on crutches and withdrew from the Young Lions squad for further evaluation and treatment at Cobham training ground.
Manager Xabi Alonso of Chelsea during a press conference.
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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The Chelsea boss confirmed: "He's not going to be fit for tomorrow, that's the bad news. He's injured his ankle, and he is going to be out for a few weeks."
As for Bournemouth, Marco Rose's side have considerably more injuries to contend with ahead of this weekend's game.
The Cherries were dealt a major blow when Alex Scott picked up an injury on international duty with England and he's set to miss the next eight weeks or so.
Junior Eli Kroupi andJulian Araujo are also set to miss this weekend's game and won't return until after the Chelsea clash.
Justin Kluivert is another who'll miss the trip to Stamford Bridge and he isn't expected to be fit until the end of October.
Veljko Milosavljevicand Amine Adliwill also be ruled out of this weekend's clash with injuries.