Chelsea are already beginning to feel the impact of injuries on their first team squad just weeks into the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca is being forced to think outside the box when it comes to the right-back position, with both of his recognised first team options being unavailable.
Reece James is yet to feature this season, while Malo Gusto is a doubt after withdrawing from international duty last week.
The manager could then utilise Moises Caicedo in the unfamiliar position, however he has featured there sporadically before.
A piece of injury news that will have sparked real worry for Chelsea supporters was the issue being suffered by Cole Palmer.
Cole Palmer ready to face Bournemouth
The club’s player of the season left the England camp, with it being put down to muscle fatigue from the early stages of the campaign.
Some of the fears of a long-term absence were eased when he was spotted in first team training earlier this week.
Now, according to TalkSPORT, Palmer is in line to return for their next fixture on Saturday night against Bournemouth.
The Englishman has already got off to a great start to the new season. He has one goal and four assists in the opening three Premier League games.
Noni Madueke into the first team lineup
Maresca has shifted Palmer’s position since defeat on the opening day against Manchester City.
He has operated in a central role since then, allowing Noni Madueke a route into the starting side on the right-wing.
Madueke has put in the best statistical performance in Europe during the dominant win over Wolves, and this saw him rewarded with a call-up to the England senior side for the first time.
He took his chance off the bench too, with national media very impressed with what they saw. The now England international will be hoping to return to the starting side at Chelsea when he returns to the club.
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