Xabi Alonso reveals Chelsea injury blow ahead of Sunderland Premier League clash

Xabi Alonso revealed that Moises Caicedo is a doubt for Chelsea’s Premier League game against Sunderland on Sunday.

Caicedo has endured an injury-affected start to life under Alonso, featuring for a total of 14 minutes in Chelsea’s first five league matches of the season.

The midfielder has returned to the starting lineup after the last international break, and has started Chelsea’s last five matches in all competitions.

But Caicedo now appears to face a late fitness test ahead of Chelsea’s trip to the Stadium of Light as he deals with ‘discomfort’ following last weekend’s win over Manchester United.

Asked about Caicedo, who missed a portion of open training on Wednesday, Alonso said: ‘He had little problems after the last game, so will check tomorrow different situations and Moi is one of them.

‘It’s a discomfort, more than the (previous injury in his) calf.’

Elsewhere, Alonso confirmed that both Joao Pedro and Maxence Lacroix remain sidelined with longer-term injuries.

‘No, not really any update but we are not expecting them for tomorrow that is clear.

‘Let’s see after these two weeks of international break how their recovery is and the progress that they make. Ahead of the Leeds game, I will have more of an update.’

But there was some positive news, with Alonso confirming that Emiliano Martinez is in contention to start at the weekend after he suffered a fractured jaw at Everton last month.

‘Tomorrow we have the last training session before Sunday, and we will decide, but he is training well,’ Alonso confirmed.

On whether it will be tough to drop second-choice Mike Penders to bring Martinez back into the fold, Alonso added: ‘All the decisions are tough in all the positions.

‘But it’s very good that Emi made a good effort, that he has been ahead of the plans to be part of the team and tomorrow we will check and Sunday we will make the final decision.’

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