CHELSEA have suffered a major injury blow as Romeo Lavia’s injury problems resurfaced on Nations League duty.
Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco has confirmed that Lavia was unable to train with his Belgium team-mates this week.
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Tedesco told RTL Sports: “I think Romeo Lavia has a hamstring problem.
“It was bothering him this morning and we didn’t want to risk him.”
The midfielder was forced off in the closing stages of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal but still reported for international duty with Belgium.
But despite insisting he “should be fine”, Lavia was not selected to feature in the Red Devils’ 1-0 defeat to Italy.
And he will not be involved against Israel on Sunday either.
Lavia’s lack of action has left Chelsea fans and Enzo Maresca sweating on his fitness.
The 20-year-old missed the entire 2023-24 campaign following his £50m arrival at Stamford Bridge last summer.
He was also unavailable for four games in August and September with a thigh issue.
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But the former Southampton star has enjoyed a superb Premier League campaign in Maresca’s new-look midfield.
Lavia has formed a formidable partnership with Moises Caicedo since being introduced to the starting XI.
The £165m pairing have even pushed Argentina World Cup star Enzo Fernandez out of the starting line-up.
Fernandez’ benching amounts to a huge midfield conundrum as the 23-year-old Argentine was brought in on a £107m price tag.
Maresca admitted only last month that he was “afraid” of Lavia potentially getting injured.
Chelsea will hope Lavia will be fit when they return to action against Leicester City on 23 November.
Meanwhile, those in West London stand on tender hooks to see how Cole Palmer is too.
The 22-year-old Prem star was spotted limping after the Arsenal game and withdrew from England’s Nations League duty.
But Palmer wore a disguise as he rocked up to watch Stockport County beat Wrexham 1-0 in League One on Saturday.
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