12 players could miss Chelsea vs Brighton with Cole Palmer update and new double injury blow

Enzo Maresca could see Chelsea absentees break into double figures for their Premier League clash against Brighton on Saturday. The Blues have been hit by some brutal injury blows in recent weeks with talisman Cole Palmer ruled out for the next few weeks.

"We decided to protect a little bit Cole in terms of him not getting a worse injury," Maresca admitted in his Friday press conference."So we decided to rest him for the next two, three weeks, probably until [the] 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."

"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."

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Having been subbed off after just 21 minutes of last weekend's defeat to Manchester United, the expectation was that Palmer would miss some action, but Maresca has also confirmed a new double blow.

"We have a Tosin [Adarabioyo] injury that probably will be out until the international break," he revealed. "He has a small problem in his calf. And then Wes Fofana, that he had a concussion the other day against Lincoln. And the rest, I think they are all okay."

The Chelsea boss was able to confirm two potential positives at least with Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia nearing returns that could even arrive this weekend.

On the duo, he said: "Romeo and Benoit, they are better. We'll see if they can join us tomorrow. Otherwise it will be for the next one."

Marc Guiu and Josh Acheampong missed the Carabao Cup win over Lincoln with minor issues, but the latter could be needed if Badiashile, Tosin and Fofana all miss out. Liam Delap is also recovering from a hamstring injury with it unlikely he returns before December.

Having undergone surgeries, Levi Colwill and Dario Essugo are the long-term absentees. Chelsea loanee Facundo Buonanotte is ineligible to face his parent club

Fabian Hurzeler has far less injury concerns at Brighton with four potential worries eased in his pre-match press conference.

"Some positive news, Mats Wieffer is back, as is Maxim De Cuyper," he said. "Jack [Hinshelwood] is still out so overall we have some options, especially regarding our full-backs, so good news."

The latter is joined in being unavailable by Solly March and Adam Webster but both Yankuba Minteh and Brajan Gruda have been passed fit after featuring in training on Thursday.