Cole Palmer Sidelined After Freak Toe Injury, Set to Miss Key Matches
Chelsea and England forward Cole Palmer has been ruled out of action for at least a week after fracturing a toe, head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday.
Maresca said the 23-year-old, who only recently returned to training following a two-month layoff due to a groin injury, sustained the fresh setback at home after accidentally stubbing his toe on a door during the night.
As a result, Palmer will miss Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Burnley, Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Barcelona, and next weekend’s league clash with table-topping Arsenal.
“He is probably not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure, or Arsenal for sure,” Maresca told reporters. “Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe, but it is nothing serious — though he won’t be back in the next week.”
Palmer, who scored twice in Chelsea’s Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint-Germain in July, is expected to play a significant role for England at the World Cup next year.
