Cole Palmer doubtful for Arsenal clash as Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca details star's injury

Enzo Maresca has said it would be a risk for Cole Palmer to play against Arsenal on Sunday after Chelsea ’s leading man was injured by Manchester United ’s Lisandro Martinez last weekend.

The England star has not trained since being hurt at Old Trafford following a challenge that saw Martinez yellow carded.

And while not part of the squad for Europa Conference League games - Chelsea face Noah on Thursday night - Maresca admitted he may not be available for the crunch clash with the Gunners this weekend.

"Yeah, for sure. He didn't train the last two days. We will see. Hopefully he can be fit. The tackle, I think it's quite clear, was not a normal one. Hopefully he can be back."

Maresca maintained at Old Trafford that it was “quite clear” that the challenge warranted a red card for Martinez, adding: “Cole was in the changing room with ice so we are waiting now. Hopefully it is nothing important.”

Jadon Sancho is also a doubt for Sunday’s meeting with Mikel Arteta ’s side at Stamford Bridge. "He is recovering from that [illness],” Maresca added. “He had a knock in the session, so we will see. For tomorrow, he is out but we will see for Sunday's game, otherwise it will be after the international break."

Armenian side Noah are expected to be light work for Chelsea’s second string on Thursday with Maresca set to rotate heavily once more. Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk are both expected to start.

Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

And asked if keeping the squad happy with his rotation approach is proving tricky, Maresca added: "For me, it's not a problem in terms of the ones that are playing in the Premier League, they have all played games in the Conference League. Marc Cucurella, he played Panathinaikos away and then he didn't play in the Premier League.

"But I said many times: the ones that are playing in the Premier League doesn't mean they are not going to play in the Conference League and the ones that are playing in the Conference League doesn't mean they are not going to play in the Premier League.

"The season is long; we have so many games. I can understand from the outside you can see two teams but we are just one team, one squad with 24 or 25 players all fit fortunately and we are going to fight to use all of them."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to read article