‘Optimism’ Chelsea will welcome back ‘outstanding’ footballer from injury after international break

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been without several players because of injuries.

Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile all missed Chelsea‘s 5-1 win against West Ham United last Friday as a result of fitness problems.

Palmer was meant to start the game but pulled out of the warm-up after feeling something in his groin.

The attacking midfielder could now miss the Blues’ next match against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

• READ MORE: Chelsea legend explains how Cole Palmer missing West Ham win was actually a ‘good thing’

Romeo Lavia could return from injury next month

The Telegraph has now shared a small injury update on both Palmer and his Chelsea teammate Lavia.

According to the outlet, the Club World Cup winners are still waiting to find out just how serious Palmer’s groin injury is.

As for Lavia, there is “optimism” that the midfielder will be available for selection again after the international break.

Unlike Palmer, who played in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, Lavia has missed both of his side’s first two fixtures this season.

While the 21-year-old is set to return to action soon, Colwill is expected to be out for most of the campaign after undergoing surgery on his ACL.

Lavia sent a message to Colwill on Instagram following his operation, telling his teammate that the whole squad is with him.

When Romeo Lavia could make his first start of the season

Chelsea have another London derby after the international break, taking on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

They then face Manchester United at home, which is a huge game. Maresca may want to use a midfield three for that match, so it would not be a surprise to see Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez all start if the Belgium international is fit enough to play.

When Lavia is on the pitch, he brings a lot to the team, so Maresca will be desperate to have him back.

Last season, former midfielder Danny Murphy described his performance in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool as “outstanding” on Match of the Day 2 (via BBC Sport).