Malo Gusto injury: Chelsea manger Enzo Maresca confirms major blow for Bournemouth clash

Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has been ruled out of their trip to Bournemouth.

Gusto was forced to pull out of France Under-21 duty with the thigh injury he suffered against Crystal Palace.

And Blues boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed Gusto is not fit for Saturday’s trip to the Vitality.

Cole Palmer has trained this week after he pulled out of the England squad, as Chelsea manage his workload.

Being without Gusto is a blow for Chelsea, who are still without Reece James.

Maresca says James “needs more time” as he recovers from his latest injury.

Romeo Lavia is “very close” to returning.

Palmer was initially named in interim head coach Lee Carsley’s first England squad.

But he was one of three players - along with Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins - who pulled out of the squad ahead of the 2-0 Nations League victories over Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Chelsea said at the time that Palmer had returned to Cobham to “continue rehabilitation for ongoing issues”.