Xabi Alonso celebrates with Cole Palmer and Geovany Quenda after Chelsea's win over Everton
Xabi Alonso celebrates with Cole Palmer and Geovany Quenda(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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Geovany Quenda faces a race against time to get himself fit for Chelsea's trip to Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.
The 19-year-old winger missed Wednesday's training session due to a minor muscular injury and will also sit out of Thursday's preparations at Cobham. Sources close to Quenda say he is expected to return to training on Friday afternoon before a decision is made over whether he will be in the travelling squad to Sunderland.
Quenda has made five Premier League appearances since signing from Sporting CP in the summer transfer window. Only one of those have come from the start, with the Portuguese winger a surprise inclusion in Xabi Alonso's XI in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham less than a fortnight ago.
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The teenager has made a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge in terms of involvement under Alonso but is happy with his first few months in London. Sources close to Quenda say there is a lot more still to come from the former Sporting wide man.
Chelsea held an open training session at Cobham on Wednesday where the first 15 minutes were streamed live on CFC+. Moises Caicedo was not involved in the opening part of the session, leaving supporters concerned over an injury to the Ecuadorian. Stamford Bridge insiders noted that players are on different training schedules given it was so early in the week but could not clarify if this was the case for Caicedo.
Jorrel Hato (back) and Jamie Gittens (ankle) were also not involved in Wednesday's pre-Sunderland session. But there was some good news for Chelsea with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez taking part in Surrey.
Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez during Chelsea's training session on Wednesday(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Martinez suffered a fractured jaw last month in the 2-0 win at Everton and then underwent successful surgery on the problem. The Argentine shot-stopper could be seen wearing a protective mask covering his lower face as he trained with his colleagues, while Mike Penders, who has deputised in Martinez's absence in recent weeks, took part in a separate session with fellow goalkeepers Teddy Sharman-Lowe and Gabriel Slonina.
Jordan Henderson was part of the first-team group that trained after the England international recovered from the illness that kept him out of the 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday. Aaron Anselmino was also part of the group after an injury.
Joao Pedro (thigh), Maxence Lacroix (hamstring) and Reece James (knee) were not involved, as expected, as they recover from longer-term injuries.