COLE Palmer will be unavailable for another week of Chelsea action after he fractured his toe when he accidentally hit it on a door overnight.
The England forward was set to resume first-team training this week after two months out with a groin injury.
But the 23-year-old will remain out slightly longer having injured the small toe on his favoured left foot on Wednesday.
He will miss the Blues’ next three fixtures — tomorrow’s English Premier League clash at Burnley, Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona and next weekend’s game at home to Arsenal.
“He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during his press conference today.
“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing important, but he won’t be back in the next week.
“I wake up many times during the night – I hit my head, my legs, my everything – so it can happen.”
Palmer’s most recent appearance was during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on on September 20.
The Blues have played 11 games in all competitions since – winning eight and losing two – and are third in the Premier League table.
“I think that his team-mates are better players with Cole playing,” added Maresca.
“I feel much better when Cole is on the pitch, and we all want Cole on the pitch.
“At the same time, when Cole is not on the pitch, we need to find a solution. The team is doing very well but we are better with Cole. He was almost back with us.”
Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Benoit Badiashile are all available for the trip to Turf Moor.
With agency report