Liam Rosenior has revealed he will make a late decision on Joao Pedro for Chelsea’s trip to Brighton, while Estevao will miss out.
Joao Pedro was a surprise exclusion from Chelsea’s squad for their 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United on Saturday.
He was missing due to a thigh injury sustained on the eve of the game, but Standard Sport reported before the match that there was hope within the Chelsea camp that he would be available in time to face his former team Brighton in Tuesday’s crucial game.
Estevao, meanwhile, hobbled off after 15 minutes, having pulled up with a hamstring injury.
Rosenior later revealed that the Brazilian teenager was in tears in the dressing room at half-time and there have been fears in the days since that the 18-year-old is due for his second period on the sidelines nursing a hamstring injury since the turn of the year.
On Monday afternoon, Rosenior gave an update on the attacking pair when he conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of the Brighton clash at the Amex.
“Yeah, Joao will be a late call. He was out on the pitch today. We’ll make a final decision on him tomorrow morning. So that’s positive, that it’ll be sooner rather than later.
“Estevao is definitely out tomorrow. We’ll do a further investigation into his injury.”
Enzo Fernandez was substituted late on against Man United with a calf issue. He received treatment in the dressing room immediately after the game and Rosenior was hoping it was just cramp and that he would be available against the Seagulls.
Rosenior added: “Enzo is absolutely fine. No other news to report.”
Levi Colwill, meanwhile, is set to be involved for the U21s this weekend as he bids to make a return to first-team action before the end of the season.
“Very hopefully, yes, we can see him before the end of the season,” Rosenior added.
“He played 60 minutes which is a very good start for him. We want him to be involved for the U21s on Saturday too.”
