Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update as Chelsea suffer fresh blow ahead of Brighton

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Cole Palmerwill be out of action for the next few weeks as the Chelsea star recovers from a groin injury.

Palmer was forced to come off during the first half of Chelsea's clash against Manchester United due to a groin injury. The 23-year-old lasted 20 minutes at Old Trafford and could only watch on from the bench as the Blues were defeated 2-1.

The England international was not included in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup win against Lincoln City earlier in the week and now looks set for a spell on the sidelines. Speaking to the media on Friday, Maresca said: "We decided to protect a little bit Cole in terms of his injuries not getting worse. We decided to rest him for the next two or three weeks before the international break to see if he can recover 100% and be fully fit from the international break."

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The Italian added: "I don't think he needs surgery. It's a matter of managing his pain in his groin, with the amount of games, it is something that can happen."

Maresca also confirmed centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo has picked up a fresh injury and will be out of action until the October international break. Wesley Fofana, meanwhile, is also not available this weekend as per concussion protocol. The Blues boss said: "We have Tosin injured and will probably be out until international break. He has a small problem in his calf.

"Wes Fofana had concussion against Lincoln, and the rest are okay. Romeo and Benoit are better. We will see if they can join us tomorrow."

Palmer has scored two goals in four appearances this season and his absence will be a big miss in the upcoming weeks. Facundo Buonanotte has impressed in recent games, however, and could be set for a spell in the team, although he is ineligible to play against Brighton this weekend.

"We said that with Cole we are a better team but we need to play games without Cole," Maresca said: "We are going to play with 11 players, for sure, and we will find a different solution."

He added: "Buonanotte can play in that position. But it depends a little bit on the game, the other team and how they defend. It depends."