Chelsea receive injury boost ahead of AFC Bournemouth clash

Chelsea receive injury boost ahead of AFC Bournemouth clash Chelsea Injury Update: Mike Penders Returns to Training Before Bournemouth Clash Chelsea have had some good news before the Premier League restart. Mike Penders is back in full training, and that matters given the state of the squad. After the international break, attention turns straight to Bournemouth. Chelsea go into the match with several fitness doubts still hanging over them, but Penders returning at Cobham gives Xabi Alonso one less problem to manage. Mike Penders Back at Cobham Penders missed part of Belgium’s recent camp with a quad problem and did not feature in any of their four matches. Others were preferred while he recovered, but he has now been pictured back in first-team training. One image showed him competing with Jorrel Hato, a clear sign he is back involved on the grass and working normally. That could become relevant quickly. Emi Martinez was still away with Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday morning, featuring in Lionel Messi’s testimonial friendly against Benin. The turnaround is tight, and Chelsea may need a decision on who is ready and available for Bournemouth. Photo IMAGO Chelsea Injuries Still Piling Up The wider picture is less encouraging. Reece James, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro all withdrew from international duty because of injury concerns. Jamie Gittens has also suffered what looks like a serious ankle problem and has reportedly needed crutches. There were, however, other returning faces at Cobham. Pedro Neto and Estevao were both involved in the session, while Emmauel Emegha had already been seen training earlier in the week. Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro Concerns The absentees tell their own story. Palmer, Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo were not seen in recent training sessions. Caicedo has been struggling with a calf injury since the summer, a problem that has badly disrupted his season. Joao Pedro is believed to be dealing with a knee issue and has been seeing a specialist this month. As for Palmer, he reportedly spent part of the break in the Caribbean with a personal trainer to aid his recovery. Useful, maybe. More important is whether he trains and whether he is fit enough to face Bournemouth.