Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said Friday that Cole Palmer remains a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brentford as he continues his recovery from injury.
The England forward limped out of the warm-up before Chelsea’s 5-1 win over West Ham last month and also missed the 2-0 victory against Fulham before the international break.
“Cole took part in the session yesterday for the first time — not the entire session,” Maresca told reporters. “We have one more session and we are going to try with him. Otherwise, he will be out again tomorrow. It is recovery, not just managing him.”
Maresca confirmed striker Liam Delap faces up to 12 weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham. The 21-year-old, who joined from Ipswich for £30 million ($40 million) in June, had featured in all three league games before the setback.
New signing Alejandro Garnacho, brought in from Manchester United, is also short of full fitness.
“He is working well. For sure, he needs to work. He arrived not 100 percent fit,” Maresca said. “Hopefully soon we can give him minutes.”
Chelsea, who won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup last season, sit second in the table after three matches.
