Cole Palmer injury: Thomas Tuchel reveals latest on Chelsea star after England blow | OneFootball

New Three Lions boss without key attacking threat for first games in charge against Albania and Latvia

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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Chelsea forward Cole Palmer will play no part for England during the current international break, Thomas Tuchel has confirmed.

However, Palmer had already been struggling with illness and was later left out of the Chelsea squad entirely for their 1-0 Premier League defeat by London rivals Arsenal on Sunday due to a muscular injury suffered in training on the eve of the game.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca admitted that he did not expect the 22-year-old to link up with England, revealing that an initial scan had been planned for Monday and believing that he would benefit from “rest physically and mentally” having now gone 10 games without scoring across all competitions since January - comfortably the worst run of his otherwise impressive Stamford Bridge career to date.

Tuchel called up Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White on Sunday night amid the lingering doubts over Palmer, whom it was finally confirmed on Tuesday would remain at Chelsea for further injury assessment. Under-21s trio Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Adam Wharton and Liam Delap have also spent time training with the England senior team this week.

Palmer was ruled out of Friday night’s visit of Albania to Wembley and Tuchel has also confirmed that he will not return to the squad ahead of the next home qualifier against Latvia on Monday night.

Chelsea will hope that Palmer is back fit after the international break, with further London derbies against Tottenham and Brentford coming up in the Premier League ahead of their two-legged Conference League quarter-final tie against Polish side Legia Warsaw.

Reports from The Guardian on Wednesday said that the former Manchester City man had been sent for a second scan on the issue, but with Chelsea still optimistic over a swift return to the pitch.