Chelsea vs Brighton: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries

Chelsea welcome the Seagulls to Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Chelsea are once again sweating on the fitness of Cole Palmer as they prepare to host Brighton at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

After returning off the bench with a goal against Brentford, Palmer started his first game since the opening day of the season in the Champions League against Bayern Munich last week.

He was on the score sheet again that night, keeping his place in the starting XI against Manchester United on Saturday evening before the chaos erupted.

With Robert Sanchez sent off and Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto hooked early on as part of a tactical reshuffle, Palmer also made way after 21 minutes.

The groin problem Palmer has been dealing with since the summer forced the change with the England international sitting out of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Lincoln City – a game he would have likely been rested for anyway.

Chelsea have been managing the issue carefully but a latest setback could prompt a rethink with Maresca meeting with the club’s medical staff this week to discuss options.

Surgery at this point in time appears to be the most unlikely option but whether Palmer is passed fit to feature this weekend remains to be seen.

Palmer’s groin injury has been a problem (Picture: Getty)

Elsewhere, Marc Guiu is being assessed with Liam Delap and Dario Essugo ruled out until November and January respectively.

Facundo Buonanotte is ineligible to face his parent club while Filip Jorgensen is expected to come in and replace the suspended Sanchez despite an unconvincing performance midweek against Lincoln.

Sanchez is suspended this weekend (Picture: Getty)

Given the concern around Palmer’s groin injury, Maresca could opt to pull him out of the firing line. Injuries elsewhere and Buonanotte’s unavailability however mean Chelsea’s attacking options suddenly look a little short.

One option Maresca could consider is using Enzo Fernandez in the no10 role with Andrey Santos available to come into midfield.