Chelsea have suffered a blow ahead of their Premier League clash with Newcastle, with Estevao Willian set to miss the game through injury.
Estevao has a “small muscle problem” that will keep him out of Saturday’s trip to St James’ Park in the Premier League, according to manager Enzo Maresca.
The 18-year-old Brazil international was not in the Chelsea squad for Tuesday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Cardiff.
He missed out due to the issue and will do so again at Newcastle this weekend. He faces a race to be fit for Chelsea’s first match after Christmas, when they host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on December 27.
Estevao is enjoying a fine debut season with Chelsea, having scored five goals and registered one assist already, despite Maresca being careful with his minutes as he seeks to hold the teenager back rather than overplay him.
Asked why Estevao had not been in the squad at Cardiff, Maresca said after the game: “He had a small problem. It was a muscle problem.
“He won’t be available for Newcastle and we will see for the next one.”
Estevao’s last appearance for Chelsea came on Saturday in their 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League, when he came off the bench for a nine-minute cameo at the end of the game.
