Chelsea confirm new injury scare before Sunderland as Xabi Alonso issues Emi Martinez update

Xabi Alonso has also provided an update on Jorrel Hato

Xabi Alonso has revealed Saturday’s training session will be the key determinant for whether Moises Caicedo and Emi Martinez make their returns to the Chelsea team at Sunderland.

Chelsea’s final match before the international break sees them visit the Premier League’s bottom side at the Stadium on Light on Sunday and Alonso has a decision to make over who to select as his goalkeeper.

Martinez has been in training this week, wearing a protective mask, after his recovery from jaw surgery went faster than the club had expected.

Mike Penders, the talented 21-year-old, made one key error but has largely impressed during Martinez’s time out.

Meanwhile, Caicedo started in midfield last weekend against Manchester United but had a disrupted week of training due to discomfort he had felt coming out of that match.

Alonso and Chelsea’s medical staff will use Saturday’s final training session before the Sunderland game to guide them on whether Martinez or Caicedo can play against the Europa League team.

“Tomorrow we have the last training session before Sunday and we will decide [then],” said Alonso.

“But he [Martinez] is training well. All the decisions are tough in all the positions, but it is very good that Emi has made a great effort to be back and is ahead of [the schedule]. Tomorrow we will check and Sunday we will take the final decision.”

Speaking about Caicedo, Alonso said: “Well, after the last game he had little problems. We expect to check tomorrow. We have some different situations, and Moi is one of them. It is discomfort more than the [old] calf [injury].”

Doubtful: Moises Caicedo

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Jorrel Hato missed the United game and will again be absent for Alonso’s side.

“No, no, no — he is not fit,” the Chelsea manager said. “It will take him some more weeks to be fit.”

Earlier on Friday morning, Cole Palmer was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain next week.

It comes after Palmer was initially selected for last month’s squad but dropped out with a minor injury before the four England games.

Alonso was asked at his press conference on Friday afternoon whether he had spoken to Palmer about Tuchel’s omission of a player Chelsea consider fit and insisted was available for England selection.

“No, we have not spoken about that,” Alonso said. “We are very happy with Cole. He is connecting very well with the other attackers and is helping the team.”