Latest Chelsea injury news as Enzo Maresca forced to make Moises Caicedo decision vs Brentford

Enzo Maresca during a Chelsea training session at Cobham. (Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their game against Brentford. The Blues will lock horns with Keith Andrews' squad at the G-Tech Community Stadium on Saturday night (8pm) as they attempt to extend their unbeaten start to the season .

Before the international break, Chelsea enjoyed a 2-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge, while the Bees lost 2-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Club World Cup champions might fancy their chances against Brentford this weekend, but they're set to be without some key players .

Dario Essugo, who Chelsea signed from Sporting CP this summer, has been ruled out after suffering a thigh injury while away with the Portugal Under-21s . With the Champions League and Carabao Cup underway this month, the 20-year-old midfielder was expected to take some weight off the shoulders of Moises Caicedo.

The club have confirmed that Essugo recently underwent surgery, and he'll soon begin a rehabilitation programme at Cobham . Liam Delap will also miss this weekend's match as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury.

The 22-year-old striker, who Chelsea signed from Ipswich Town for £30million over the summer, pulled up during the 2-0 win against Fulham just before the break. It also goes without saying that Levi Colwill remains unavailable after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of pre-season.

Cole Palmer remains a doubt after suffering a groin problem in the warm-up ahead of the Blues' 5-1 win over West Ham. The 23-year-old was omitted from the matchday squad that faced Marco Silva's side, and he wasn't called up by Thomas Tuchel.

As it stands, it remains to be seen whether or not Palmer will be available for selection this weekend. Maresca will be expected to provide an update on the attacking midfielder's situation when he faces the press on Friday.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile were both recently spotted in first-team training at Cobham, as they each look to rebuild their match fitness.

Neither have featured for Chelsea so far this season, but, with Essugo and Colwill out, they're set to play key roles in Maresca's side. Speaking with reporters at the end of last month, the Blues manager provided an update on Lavia and Badiashile.

"I'm always worried, but not about just them," said Maresca. "I'm always worried, but I think with Romeo and Benoit, because it's a long time out. It's normal that they need time; they need sessions.

"It's the same that we are doing with Wes [Fofana].

"Wes is back; the other day, he played some minutes. Hopefully, we can give him more minutes and slowly, slowly get the right condition."

When pressed for a timeframe on Lavia's return, Maresca said: "This season the target again is to give him more games, and hopefully in the moment he's back he can be fit for a long time and play more minutes, more games, because he's a player that we really trust."

Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Fernandez all reported for duty - on Monday - having been afforded some time off. Facundo Buonanotte, who Chelsea signed on loan from Brighton on deadline day, and Alejandro Garnacho continued their preparations at Chelsea's training base in Surrey over the international break.