Chelsea have been given a major injury boost after Enzo Maresca confirmed Trevoh Chalobah is fit to face Crystal Palace.
Chalobah limped out of Sunday’s 4-1 friendly victory over AC Milan with an ankle injury.
But speaking ahead of the first game of the season against Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Maresca said: “Trev is okay.”
Chalobah became an important player for Chelsea in the second half of last season, playing 13 times in the Premier League after they brought him back early from a season-long loan at Palace.
His availability is especially important given Chelsea have just lost Levi Colwill to a serious knee injury.
Asked if Wesley Fofana is available, Maresca said: “He could be available. We will see.
“Benoit [Badiashile] is in the process of coming back, Romeo [Lavia] the same.”
Asked how Levi Colwill is, Maresca said: “He’s ok - aware he has to be a long time out.”
Maresca also confirmed he wants Chelsea to sign a new centre-back now Colwill has been ruled out for the majority of the season.
“He was a big player for us last season,” said the Chelsea boss. “Levi was a huge part of our build-up. Now he is out, and we are going to try to find a different solution.
“We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think. I think we need a central defender.”
