Chelsea captain Reece James has suffered another injury setback and could face more time on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old-right-back only returned to action in October after missing the start of the season.
But boss Enzo Maresca revealed James will miss Saturday’s trip to Leicester after feeling something in his hamstring.
Maresca hopes the problem is not serious, but given the player’s injury history the club will not take any risks.
“Hopefully it’s not something longer. He felt something, he has to be out and then we’ll see. It’s his hamstring, a muscle problem.”
James has struggled throughout his career to string a consistent amount of matches together, but Maresca hopes that will eventually change.
“For sure,” he added. “But in this moment is not happening.”
Maresca also has doubts over Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Jadon Sancho.
He added: “Some of them are better, some of them we’ll test today.”
Asked if he had any contact with the England camp over the withdrawals of Palmer and Colwill, Maresca added: “To be honest we played Arsenal and then I left for a week.”
“First of all (I’m) excited and also thankful,” he said. “It was a fantastic season because I met good people and in terms of players it was fantastic.
“We had a fantastic connection between the players and staff, this is something you need to create when you want to make something important.
“I will be thankful to them all my life, we have a special connection.”
