Palmer expected to be out until next month

Chelsea star Cole Palmer is now expected to remain sidelined until early November with a groin problem.

The injury has hampered his start to the season – the 23-year-old has been out of action since being substituted during the defeat to Manchester United last month.

While initial hopes suggested he might be fit to return immediately after the current international break – potentially against Nottingham Forest on October 18 —it now appears he will be out longer.

Head coach Enzo Maresca recently spoke about how Chelsea have managed Palmer’s injury, insisting the club want to “protect Cole a little bit in terms of him not getting a worse injury.”