Enzo Maresca has confirmed a triple injury boost for Chelsea ahead of their game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The Blues face Forest in the 12:30pm kickoff, looking to build on their win against Liverpool before the international break, but Paul Merson has predicted a draw.
Chelsea were without eight players for the game against the Champions, but it seems that injury list has now eased.
Enzo Maresca confirms triple Chelsea injury boost
Maresca confirmed Cole Palmer is set to be sidelined for another six weeks in a major blow, whilst Benoit Badiashile is also expected to be out until December with a muscular injury.
Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are all still absent, but Maresca has confirmed three players are now back when asked if the international break had been positive or negative.
“No, it’s a good one, because Tosin is back, [Wesley] Fofana is back, Andrey Santos is back,” he told his pre-match press conference.
Fofana missed the last three games due to a concussion suffered against Lincoln, whilst Tosin has had a calf injury, and Santos has also missed the last two games.
It’s great for Chelsea to have recovered some centre backs given how stretched they were against Liverpool, and Maresca now needs to decide what his preferred pairing is.
Chelsea face three doubts for Nottingham Forest
Whilst it’s good news about Fofana, Tosin and Santos returning, Maresca also confirmed Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto were doubts.
The Italian stated the trio hadn’t trained on Thursday, but they would assess the situation on Friday before a final decision was taken.
Obviously being without Caicedo would be a huge blow, but there’s nothing to suggest any potential issues with the trio are anything major.
In Palmer’s absence Fernandez could continue to be pushed into a more advanced position, whilst Lavia could come in and play alongside Caicedo in the middle of the park.
Play Fofana at RB to give James rest then play Chalobah and Hato as a CB . Or vice versa play Chalobah at RB then Fofana at CB . I hope he play 3 man midfield that’s help the back 4 . Try guiu to start upfront then Neto / garnacho at the wing .
Badiashile again?
Terminate his contract let him go