Chelsea injury update: Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo latest news and return dates

Chelsea are still dealing with a number of important injuries before they make their Premier League return against Bournemouth.A quick loss in form and momentum under Xabi Alonso over recent weeks has coincided with the absence of several key players.Captain Reece James has also been sidelined again, though Chelsea fans will hope that the likes of summer signings Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha may now be able to make an impact.Here is all the latest Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of top-flight action resuming at Stamford Bridge this weekend, with a few unnamed stars who have been sidelined playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Portsmouth at Cobham on Saturday, which the hosts lost 2-0.Joao PedroChelsea’s reigning player of the season rescued a draw at home to newly-promoted Hull on his last appearance, but news of an injury subsequently emerged and Alonso remained coy before he missed the dismal 3-0 defeat by west London rivals Brentford before the international break.Key trio: Chelsea will assess Joao Pedro, Reece James and Cole Palmer this weekGettyThat is as part of an attempt to speed up his comeback, with initial reports in his homeland suggesting that the former Brighton frontman could be out for up to four weeks.An exact return date is unclear, but it should be at some point in October if he’s ruled out against Bournemouth.Potential return date: Later in OctoberCole PalmerIt was reported that Palmer - who was hampered for much of last season by a long-term groin injury - had then gone abroad on holiday and was working on his fitness with the help of a rehabilitation coach.There seems to be hope that he will be available for selection against Bournemouth.Potential return date: Saturday October 10, vs Bournemouth (H)Moises CaicedoAlonso has been able to use Caicedo for only 14 minutes so far this season as the result of a persistent calf issue that has limited him to one substitute cameo - against former club Brighton - which quickly ended in him being brought off again.Read MoreThe midfielder was not called up by Ecuador for friendlies against South Korea, Japan and Panama in a bid to help him fully shake off the problem.Frustration: Moises Caicedo has played only 14 minutes for Chelsea so far this seasonPACaicedo was not involved against Brentford, though Alonso had suggested that he was close. Provided there have been no further setbacks since then, he should be in contention to face Bournemouth.Potential return date: Saturday October 10, vs Bournemouth (H)Reece JamesChelsea’s influential captain missed the defeat at Brentford with the latest in a long line of hamstring injuries and was unavailable for England selection too.However, Alonso said before that game that he only just missed out, so you would expect him to also be back some three weeks later when the Blues take on Bournemouth.Potential return date: Saturday October 10, vs Bournemouth (H)Marco PalestraChelsea’s £27million summer signing from Atalanta has yet to make his competitive debut in English football despite impressing during pre-season, having picked up a muscle injury in training in the days before their opening match against rivals Fulham.He has been working his way back ever since and now looks poised to finally return, having been seen back training fully at Cobham in recent weeks.Debut loading: Marco Palestra has yet to play in a competitive match for ChelseaGettyPalestra was one of the players expected to face Portsmouth before he hopes to be handed a first Premier League chance against Bournemouth.Potential return date: Saturday October 10, vs Bournemouth (H)Jamie GittensGittens started for England’s Under-21s in their 2027 European Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan at Molineux last week, but was taken off late in the first half with an ankle injury.Potential return date: Unknown, pending further assessmentEmmanuel EmeghaLike fellow summer signing Palestra, Emegha has yet to make his competitive Chelsea debut as the result of a hamstring injury sustained after scoring in the behind-closed-doors friendly win against Bromley in July.He has been sidelined since then, though was included by Alonso in the group of players that he said could be ready for selection against Brentford.That didn’t happen in the end, but you would think he is now pushing to be involved against Bournemouth.Potential return date: Saturday October 10, vs Bournemouth (H)Quick recovery: Mike Penders has shrugged off a quad injury suffered with BelgiumGettyMike PendersChelsea’s back-up goalkeeper went away on international duty with Belgium, but suffered a quad injury in training that saw him omitted from Mark van Bommel’s squads to face Italy and France.However, he returned to the bench against Turkey and is expected to back up Manchester United’s Senne Lammens once more in Paris on Monday night.Potential return date: Saturday October 10, vs Bournemouth (H)