Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez – Latest Chelsea injury news and return dates

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Enzo Maresca could welcome some big names back to the Chelsea squad this weekend. The Blues will be eager to extend their winning streak when they face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea stormed past Liverpool at Stamford Bridge before the international break, with Estevao Willian scoring a last-minute winner . Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou will be hoping to secure his first win.

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager has failed to win any of his first seven games in charge of Forest, recording five losses and two draws . Unfortunately for Evangelos Marinakis, Postecoglou doesn't have a particularly impressive track record against the west Londoners.

The 60-year-old has lost all four of his encounters with Chelsea, scoring just four goals and conceding 11. So, with that being said, Mirror Football has rounded up all the latest injury news and return dates from Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez had to withdraw from the Argentina squad late last week due to inflammation in his right knee. The 24-year-old midfielder returned to Cobham shortly after playing 78 minutes in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Venezuela.

Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Saturday, October 18.

James was forced to pull out of the England squad due to injury, missing matches against Wales and Latvia. It's believed that the decision was precautionary and that it's not a serious injury.

Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Saturday, October 18.

Caicedo was absent from Ecuador's friendlies against the United States and Mexico this month. The 23-year-old midfielder has been carrying an injury, prompting his national team boss, Sebastian Beccacece, to allow him to rest during the international break.

What Beccacece said: "About Moises, his coach [Maresca] said he's injured. He's not well."

Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Saturday, October 18.

Badiashile was substituted during Chelsea's victory over Liverpool before the international break. Willy Caballero offered an update on the 24-year-old defender following the match, suggesting his substitution was merely precautionary.

What has Caballero said: "It was just prevention. We spoke with them (Badiashile and Josh Acheampong) already, and they said that they are okay, so [it is] good for us."

Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Saturday, October 18.

Acheampong also hobbled off during Chelsea's victory over Liverpool, though he secured some playing time during the international break. The 19-year-old defender featured for 78 minutes at left-back in England Under-21s' 4-0 triumph over Moldova.

Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Saturday, October 18.

Pedro had been carrying a knock in the weeks leading up to the October international break, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to give him some time off. The 24-year-old striker wasn't selected for Brazil's Asian tour, allowing him a fortnight to recover in west London.

Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Saturday, October 18.

Santos was similarly omitted from Brazil's squad this month after struggling with a minor thigh complaint. The 21-year-old midfielder was also afforded the opportunity to rest and recuperate.

What has Maresca said: "We lost Andrey Santos, who will be out until after the international break. We have seven or eight players out. It is difficult to pick the same XI, but it is what it is. We need to adapt."

Expected return date: Late October.

Tosin picked up a minor calf problem before Chelsea's victory over Liverpool. Speaking to journalists, Maresca confirmed that the 28-year-old defender would be sidelined until the October international break.

What has Maresca said: "He will probably be out until the international break. He has a small injury in his calf."

Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Saturday, October 18.

Last month, Palmer was forced to withdraw during the first half of Chelsea's encounter with Manchester United due to a groin injury. The 23-year-old midfielder has been absent from each of the Blues' previous four matches in all competitions.

He was subsequently ruled out of England's recent matches against Wales and Latvia. Thomas Tuchel warned Palmer that his injury could become 'chronic' if not properly treated.

What Maresca has said: "Yeah, we decided to protect a little bit, Cole, in terms of him not getting a worse injuries. So we decided to rest him for the next two, three weeks, probably until international break, just to see if with that rest he can be able to recover 100% and to be completely fit after the international break.

"No, I don't think he needs surgery. It's just a matter of managing his pain and his groin. The amount of games is something that can happen. So this is the reason why we try to be conservative with him to give him rest, and hopefully he can be 100% fit after the international break."

Expected return date: November.

Delap picked up a hamstring problem during Chelsea's 2-0 triumph over Fulham just before the previous international break. Thankfully, the 22-year-old forward, whom the Blues brought in from Ipswich Town for £30m during the summer, did not need an operation on the issue.

What Maresca has said: "It's around 10 to 12 weeks."

Expected return date: November.

Essugo sustained a thigh problem during the September international break. The club confirmed that the Portugal Under-21 midfielder, who Chelsea brought in from Sporting CP this summer, went under the knife and has been placed on a rehabilitation programme at Cobham training ground.

Expected return date: Early 2026.

Colwill sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the beginning of pre-season. Maresca will be desperate to have the 22-year-old defender back, but the Chelsea manager won't to rush him back and risk worsening the problem.

What has Maresca said: "Levi's injury is ACL injury, so it is not one month or two months, it is six, seven or eight months. For sure, he will be back, but it is not something we are worried about."

Expected return date: April.

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