Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has calmed Chelsea fans by insisting Cole Palmer does not currently need surgery after limping off in the defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford — www.isagoal.com reports.
The England forward left the pitch after just 21 minutes, with his ongoing groin problem flaring up at a difficult time for a Chelsea side still chasing stability in the Premier League.
According to the Guardian, Maresca was clear in his post-match comments that surgery has not been discussed by the medical staff.
“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery. I don’t know if in the next days or weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest,” Maresca said.
The Italian boss admitted Palmer had pushed himself to be available, stressing, “He made a huge effort to try to play the game. He wasn’t 100 per cent, but he wanted to help his teammates.”
Palmer’s absence will keep him out of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Lincoln City, where Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile are also ruled out.
Maresca warned that cup ties against lower-league sides often carry hidden dangers, saying: “These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily.”
Several academy talents are expected to step up, though Maresca admitted he feels uneasy about being short on senior options.