Chelsea handed injury boost for Leeds United tie as Xabi Alonso rules out four | OneFootball

Chelsea have been boosted by Levi Colwill’s return from a knock, with Xabi Alonso confirming four others will be absent for the Carabao Cup third round against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Alonso said Colwill is fine to play, but Moises Caicedo and £47m right-back Marco Palestra are not ready and it is too early to risk them. He added that longer-term absentees Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha will also miss out.

Colwill was only among the substitutes in last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal after a minor issue in the build-up. Caicedo sat out that game and Palestra has yet to make an appearance this season.

Leeds travel to west London unbeaten so far this campaign, while Chelsea were beaten for the first time last weekend.

Asked if his side need to be meaner, Alonso stressed the focus is on competing, improving both in football terms and in spirit and mentality.

He expects a fierce rivalry clash with plenty of duels, and said Chelsea must cope and find solutions. Despite the absences, he retains significant depth after a summer outlay of almost £350m.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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