Chelsea: Enzo Maresca offers new injury update after quadruple selection concern before Liverpool clash
Enzo Maresca is confident that Chelsea avoided a damaging double injury blow during Sunday’s feisty Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
The in-form Blues’ run of consecutive victories across all competitions was halted at five during an ill-tempered 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in which Noni Madueke hit back in the second half to cancel out Chris Wood’s opening goal and secure a hard-fought point for the hosts.
West Ham loanee James Ward-Prowse was sent off for Forest, with the game marred by a furious melee late on after Neco Williams pushed Marc Cucurella into Maresca, sending the Chelsea boss tumbling on the touchline and sparking a furious brawl involving both sets of players.
Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson could yet be in hot water after appearing to raise his hands to the face of Forest defender Morato during those ugly scenes in west London, while the Blues picked up six yellow cards during the game to trigger an automatic £50,000 fine from the Football Association (FA) - double the usual amount after they were previously fined £25,000 for the same reasons after last month’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth.
Further FA charges could also follow for both clubs for failing to control their players in Sunday’s match.
Two of Chelsea’s cautions were for Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, a fifth of the season already for both players meaning they will each serve a one-match suspension when Maresca’s team head to Anfield to face early league leaders Liverpool in their first game back following the international break.
Those bans were compounded by Madueke and Levi Colwill both being forced off late with apparent injuries against Forest, though Maresca is confident that they will both be fine moving forward.
“I think both are ok now that we are inside,” the Italian said. “We will see but I don't think any problems with them.”
Chelsea remain without captain Reece James due to a latest hamstring problem that has prevented him from playing at all so far this season, while young summer signing Omari Kellyman is also sidelined at present.
