Chelsea get major new Josh Acheampong injury update as statement issued

Acheampong withdrawn from England U21s squad and returned to Chelsea; Alonso expects him back after international break.

Josh Acheampong has withdrawn from England's under-21 squad ahead of fixtures against Portugal and France during the November international window, returning to Chelsea for further recovery. The defender missed Sunday's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Sunderland and will play no part in the Young Lions' double-header at Ashton Gate in Bristol.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso described the issue as "a minor thing" ahead of the Sunderland match, stating Acheampong lacked the fitness to feature but was expected to return after the international break. The withdrawal suggests the injury may require more time than initially anticipated.