Chelsea were down a key member of their starting squad at the weekend when they laboured to a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca was forced to line up without Cole Palmer due to injury for the first time in his tenure as Chelsea manager, joining the likes of Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson on the treatment table.
It was reported originally that the England international suffered his injury in training, however it has since been claimed that Palmer actually got injured against Copenhagen, when he was brought on due to them struggling to advance in the Conference League.
Despite Palmer impressing against the Danes, it seems this performance has done more harm than good, and Chelsea fans are facing a nervous wait to see how long he will be out for.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Cole Palmer scan results after Chelsea injury
The attacker was originally called up to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel, although Blues supporters will be hoping he gets the full rest in the next two weeks as they face some huge games before the end of the season.
Palmer had a scan on Monday to see how things were looking, and Simon Phillips has reported that while there were no problems on the scan, pain remains in the hamstring area, with another scan set for Wednesday.
He said on Substack: “SPTC sources can confirm that Palmer has now had the results of that scan and it has come back all clear. However, the pain in his hamstring is still there.
“Our sources have also learned that Palmer will be going for a new scan today [Wednesday] on his back to see if the cause is referred pain from his back causing his hamstrings to be tight.
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“Palmer has not joined up with England for the latest international break but they are keeping it open for now as more tests happen. I see it as highly unlikely at this point that he will be able to join this international break. Chelsea will be keen to make sure he is fully fit and recovered and these issues are looked at properly.”
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea’s Palmer alternative suffers new injury
With Joao Felix out on loan, there are very few options in the first team squad to replace Palmer if he is forced to miss some time.
There may have been hope that Omari Kellyman was going to offer an alternative in the final few weeks of the season. Kellyman was expected back next month after a nightmare first season at Stamford Bridge due to injuries.
However, he confirmed he is out for the rest of the season, and will not be able to feature at all for the first team in his first campaign since the switch from Aston Villa.