Enzo Maresca could be missing up to eight players for Chelsea's Premier League visit to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, as a growing injury list threatens to derail their winning run. The Blues head to the City Ground fresh from victories over Liverpool and Southampton, but face a mounting selection headache.
The most significant blow is the absence of Cole Palmer, who has been ruled out for a further six weeks with a groin problem. Maresca confirmed the news on Friday, saying: 'Unfortunately, he needs to be out probably six more weeks. We try just to protect Cole as much as we can.'
Defender Benoit Badiashile will also be sidelined until December with a muscle injury, while Levi Colwill (anterior cruciate ligament) and Liam Delap (hamstring) remain out. Midfielders Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Pedro Neto are doubts after missing Thursday's training session, and Dario Essugo is recovering from thigh surgery.
On a positive note, Reece James is fit again after withdrawing from the England squad, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Andrey Santos return to contention. 'Tosin is back, Fofana is back, Andrey Santos is back,' said Maresca, who will serve a one-match touchline ban.
Forest boss Ange Postecoglou is still searching for his first win since taking over, having lost five and drawn two. He has never beaten Chelsea in four previous meetings, with his teams scoring four and conceding 11. The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday.
