Chelsea injury update: Joao Pedro, Reece James, Moises Caicedo latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Fears of huge double injury blow for Blues

Fears have raised over a double Chelsea injury blow after Joao Pedro and Reece James were absent from training on Tuesday.

From hoping for an almost clean bill of health this week, manager Xabi Alonso could now face losing two key stars for the Friday night trip to Brentford.

Caicedo’s absence has been keenly felt in the centre of the pitch, with Chelsea shipping goals at an alarming rate during the opening weeks of the season.

With that in mind, here is all the latest Chelsea injury news and potential return dates...

Joao Pedro

According to Sky Sports reporter James Savundra, both striker Joao Pedro and captain Reece James were no-shows at training at Cobham on Tuesday.

Sky Sports are only allowed access, with their cameras, for the first 15 minutes of the opening training session, so the pair could have later joined the group.

Joao Pedro played the full 90 minutes on Saturday as Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City, and showed no signs of injury

Reece James

Reece James was also absent, according to the same outlet.

The club captain also played the full 90 minutes against Hull at Stamford Bridge, so a possible injury will be a surprise.

Manager Xabi Alonso will provide an update on his entire squad on Thursday.

Moises Caicedo

Caicedo has endured a difficult start to the season.

The Ecuador international missed Chelsea’s opening two matches before returning against former club Brighton, but lasted only 14 minutes before being forced off.

He then sat out the fixtures against Arsenal, Leeds and, most recently, Hull, with manager Alonso confirming that he was struggling with a calf problem.

Asked for an update ahead of facing the Tigers, Alonso said: “Let's see for Brentford, but unluckily not at the moment to take risks with him. Not yet, we are not there yet.”

It now appears unlikely that Caicedo will be fit to face Brentford on Friday after missing training on Tuesday.

Marco Palestra

Summer signing Palestra was a regular during pre-season but is yet to feature in a competitive match for his new club. The Italian picked up a knock in training shortly after arriving from Atalanta, delaying his debut.

Palestra suggested his return was approaching when speaking to Italian outlet Tuttomercato a fortnight ago. “I’m fine, it’s still a few days away, but I feel much better,” he said.

But, asked if Palestra could face Hull, Alonso simply said on Friday: “No. No, no, no.”

He added: “He's quite frustrated after a very good pre-season not to be able to play and to make his debut in the Premier League.

“But I told Marco, ’Easy, the season is long, there will be a lot of games, and you will play your role, you will have your minutes, you will enjoy your game.’

“He is full of energy, and you need to control that.”

Potential return date: September 18 vs Brentford (A)

Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson is yet to make his competitive debut since his surprise summer move from Brentford.

The veteran midfielder suffered a broken wrist while celebrating England’s quarter-final victory over Mexico at the World Cup, and has been unable to play in the two months since.

Henderson returned to training a little under two weeks ago, so is closing in on his first minutes in blue.

Alonso said ahead of the loss to Arsenal: “He has been training very well, but it is still frustrating for him that, even though it is his arm, it is taking that long. I think he is in the last stage of his recovery.”