Chelsea and England forward Cole Palmer will miss two Premier League games and the Champions League clash with Barcelona next week after broking a toe in an accident at home, coach Enzo Maresca said on Friday.
However, on Friday, head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that Palmer has now suffered an unexpected setback due to the freak incident.
Maresca explained that the 23-year-old, who had just returned to training after two months out with a groin injury, suffered the injury at home when he apparently stubbed his toe on a door at night.
Palmer will be sidelined for Saturday’s trip to Burnley, the home game against Barcelona on Tuesday, and next weekend’s Premier League match against leaders Arsenal.
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“He is probably not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure, or Arsenal for sure,” said Maresca.
“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe but it is nothing important – but he won’t be back in the next week,” Maresca said.
When asked how long Palmer could now be missing, Maresca added: “We don’t know. [His toe] It’s fractured.
“The only thing we know: he is not available for this week and next week.”
Palmer scored twice when Chelsea won the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in July and is expected to be an integral part of the England squad at the World Cup next year.