Chelsea have been dealt another injury blow with winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens picking up an ankle injury on international duty.
The ‘electric‘ winger was forced off during England Under-21s’ European qualifier against Kazakhstan on Friday.
Bynoe-Gittens lasted just 39 minutes before being replaced by former Chelsea player Tyrique George. Chelsea will hope the issue is not serious.
Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra are only just preparing to return to action from their respective injury spells, and Joao Pedro was recently added to the injury list.
Bynoe-Gittens is the natural back-up to Morgan Rogers on the left wing, so any prolonged absence would leave Chelsea short of options in that area. Geovany Quenda could profit.
The initial hope is that his substitution was precautionary, but Bynoe-Gittens was spotted on crutches after the game.
England U21 manager Lee Carsley has confirmed Gittens is being sent back to Chelsea for tests on an ankle injury and will miss the final two qualifying games.
Chelsea supporters and coaching staff will anxiously await further news, with an update expected in the coming days.
England U21s secured a 4-2 win to move six points clear at the top of Group D with two matches remaining.
A win or draw against Slovakia Under-21s would guarantee Lee Carsley’s side a place at next year’s European Championship, where they will aim to defend their crown.
