Chelsea head Enzo Maresca admits it could be a risk to select Cole Palmer against Arsenal on Sunday because of the knee injury he suffered from a Lisandro Martinez challenge.
Palmer, 22, did not train on Monday or Tuesday because of the problem, which he sustained when Martinez’s studs made contact with his right knee in injury time of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Sunday.
The England international was seen limping heavily as soon as he got back to his feet but referee Robert Jones only showed a yellow card to Martinez.
Palmer, who has scored seven goals and made five assists in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, is currently not certain to face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
When asked if it would be a risk to play him at this stage, Maresca said: “Yes for sure. He didn’t train the past two days, hopefully he can be fit. The tackle, I think it is quite clear, was not a normal one. Hopefully he can be back.”
Maresca also revealed that Jadon Sancho may not be able to feature again for Chelsea until after the international break.
Sancho has not played in the last four games. He was an unused substitute against Panathinaikos and Newcastle United before sitting out a Carabao Cup tie at Newcastle through illness. He was ineligible to face Manchester United because loan rules prevented him from facing his parent club.
Maresca has now revealed Sancho has also picked up an injury and will not feature against FC Noah in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night.
He added: “He is recovering from that (the illness). He had a knock in the session also. For sure he is out tomorrow, we will see if he can be available for Sunday’s game otherwise it will be after the international break.”
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