Frank Lampard has confirmed that Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri will be out until mid-October due to the recurrence of a thigh problem.
The Italian picked up an injury during the early stages of a Euro 2020 qualifier against the Faroe Islands in September.
It was initially claimed by Lampard that the affliction was not a serious one, but the former midfielder has revealed that the thigh injury stems from a previous issue.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's EFL Cup clash with Grimsby Town, Lampard told Sky Sports News: "Emerson now won't be back until the other side of the international break.
"It will be a few weeks because it is the recurrence of an injury so we have to be a bit careful with it."
Lampard has been forced to call on the services of youngster Fikayo Tomori in recent times amid injuries to several defenders, with Antonio Rudiger, Reece James and Andreas Christensen all picking up knocks over the last month.
Moreover, the Chelsea boss continues to wait on the fitness of other key players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante both played through knocks against Liverpool.
Leo Nieboer
