Chelsea midfielder Palmer injured after ‘accident at home’

Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer faces another spell on the sidelines after fracturing his toe in an accident at home.

The Chelsea forward had just returned to training after two months out with a groin injury.

But manager Enzo Maresca says Palmer will definitely miss Saturday’s trip to Burnley, Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona and next weekend’s Premier League tussle with leaders Arsenal.

“He is probably not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure,” said Maresca.

“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe but it is nothing important – but he won’t be back in the next week.”

Palmer has only made three Premier League appearances so far this season, scoring in a 2-2 draw at Brentford in September.

Maresca tried to laugh off the incident but it is a big blow for the Blues with a huge week coming up.

“It’s nothing important, but for sure he’s not back next week,” added the Italian.

“It’s fractured. The only thing we know is that he’s not available for this week, next week.

“It can happen, it can happen. I wake up many times during the night to go to the toilet, and I hit my head, my leg, my everything, so it can happen.

“He was back with us, almost, with the groin. Then again, he had this small problem and hopefully it’s nothing important.

“The last time I saw him was yesterday morning and he was without socks, without flip-flops.

“He was limping, not too much, he was walking OK. The problem is that it’s a small toe, so the contact with the boots can be a bit painful.”