Chelsea: Xabi Alonso reveals extent of Moises Caicedo injury as Jordan Henderson return timeline confirmed | OneFootball

Spaniard also issues Kendry Paez update ahead of Leeds clash

Xabi Alonso has revealed Moises Caicedo’s injury is a calf problem and that Jordan Henderson is in the “last stage of his recovery”.

Chelsea have been without Caicedo for three of their four matches in all competitions this season, and Alonso admitted to having made a “mistake” by rushing the Ecuadorian back to the pitch against Brighton when the player lasted only 14 minutes off the bench before being forced off in pain.

Caicedo is unavailable for Chelsea once again when they host Leeds United in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday, and England midfielder Henderson is another player who Alonso will be unable to call on.

Henderson has played for neither club nor country since he suffered a freak injury after England’s 3-2 win over Mexico at Estadio Azteca at the World Cup in July.

The 36-year-old fell awkwardly after climbing over an advertising hoarding, and had to have wrist surgery. His arm is yet to fully heal and he remains sidelined.

“He has a problem in his calf,” Alonso said of Caicedo.

“No [it is not a new injury]. It was the same one he had before Brighton. I wanted to have Moi [for that game].

“Probably it was my mistake to push him too early, so that’s why I’m cautious now not to make the same mistake.”

Alonso was asked whether Henderson, a Champions League winner with Liverpool, has been able to showcase his leadership skills yet or whether his focus has been purely on recovery.

“Both, he has been very close to the team,” Alonso said. “Even being injured, he has been travelling with us [to games]. I know that he likes and he needs to have this connection with the team, to have this impact on the pitch and off the pitch.

“He has been training very well, but still it is frustrating for him that, even being the arm, it is taking that long. I think he is in the last stage of his recovery.”

Alonso said of Chelsea’s academy players that “some will be in the squad” for the visit of Leeds, and was also asked about Kendry Paez, who did not exit the club this summer.

“At the moment, he is not part of the first-team squad,” Alonso said of the 19-year-old winger from Ecuador. “No, he is not in our plans.”