Chelsea have some injury problems as they return to the Premier League on Saturday against Leicester City.

Enzo Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time since he led the Foxes back to the Premier League last season. But before that, the Italian will have to make some important selection decisions.

The Blues’ starting eleven is pretty settled in the Premier League, but Maresca has made sweeping changes for European and cup matches – a situation that should frustrate Christopher Nkunku.

Two Chelsea stars withdrew from the England squad last week, Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill. Palmer was the victim of a nasty tackle by Lisandro Martinez against Manchester United on 5 November and was missing from training ahead of the last draw with Arsenal.

Although he played the full 90 minutes for the Gunners, the game flew by and Palmer did not look comfortable when he left the pitch in the afternoon.

Maresca is hoping that a week of international work will solve any problems as Palmer is due to appear in training on Monday. Colwill, meanwhile, has withdrawn from the England squad with an unspecified problem but was also seen back in action in Cobham.

Romeo Lavia had to leave the field against Arsenal, but later confirmed that he had received a “small blow”.

Although he was selected in the Belgian squad, he did not play in the games against Italy and Israel, as Belgian boss Domenico Tedesco confirmed that he was still struggling with a thigh muscle injury.

Maresco is expected to give an update on Lavia at this week’s pre-match press conference.

Little Gusto was also forced off against Arsenal and has withdrawn from the France Under-21 squad. The right-sided defender missed two games in September in similar circumstances, but Gusto was also among the players who were in the picture when they returned to training earlier in the week.

His compatriot Wesley Fofana was also in this group, although he feared injury last week. The midfielder, who was included in France’s senior squad, withdrew after “left knee pain”.

Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on his fitness after he missed more than a year, but his return to the training ground this week bodes well for a trip to his former club.

Jadon Sancho is expected to be available, having not featured since being sent off at half-time against Liverpool at the end of October. The winger has struggled with injuries and illness in recent weeks.