Chelsea XI vs Manchester United: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

Palmer returns from suspension; Lacroix sidelined with hamstring injury as Chelsea's injury list grows ahead of Manchester United visit.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will welcome Cole Palmer back from a one-game suspension for the Premier League clash against Manchester United this weekend, but the Blues face mounting injury concerns.

Palmer was suspended following his red card against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, which Chelsea lost to Liverpool on penalties at Anfield on Wednesday. During that defeat, defender Maxence Lacroix suffered a hamstring injury before half-time, with Alonso uncertain of the recovery timeline. "Too early to tell," the manager said. "Probably he felt something on the hamstrings. We need a couple of days to check what the injury is."

Lacroix joins an expanding casualty list that includes Reece James (out until the new year following knee surgery) and Joao Pedro, expected to miss several weeks with a thigh problem. Malo Gusto and Moises Caicedo are being assessed after playing through pain at Anfield. On a positive note, goalkeeper Emi Martinez is expected to return earlier than anticipated from a broken jaw after being fitted with a protective mask. The match kicks off at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday.