Xabi Alonso is set to welcome Cole Palmer back from suspension when Chelsea host Manchester United this weekend, but Maxence Lacroix is likely to miss out as the Blues’ injury woes worsen.

Palmer served a one-game suspension following his dismissal against Tottenham as Chelsea crashed out of the Carabao Cup on penalties to Liverpool on Wednesday night.

On a disappointing evening at Anfield, Lacroix left the pitch with a hamstring injury just before half time, and Alonso said afterwards he did not know how long the Frenchman would be out.

“Too early to tell,” the Spaniard said. “Probably he felt something on the hamstrings. We need a couple of days to check what the injury is.”

Lacroix is the latest player to succumb to injury in recent weeks, with Reece James ruled out until the new year following knee surgery and Joao Pedro set to miss a number of weeks with a thigh issue.

Alonso said that he expected the Brazilian to miss “a few weeks” as he continues his rehabilitation.

“He has an injury to his thigh, and he is going to be out for a few weeks,” the head coach said ahead of the Liverpool defeat.

“Let’s see how many. We don’t want to predict on that, but he is not ready for the next games.”

“The game had very intense moments. We knew that it was going to be physical, and after we had to deal with Max (Lacroix), Moi (Caicedo) had little problems. Malo as well - he had cramps. We were a little bit forced with substitutions.”

There is some positive news in the goalkeeping department, with Emi Martinez expected to make an earlier-than-expected return from a broken jaw.

The Argentina international has seen a specialist about getting a mask fitted after undergoing surgery on the injury, which he suffered following a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Jamie Gittens is still out with an ankle injury picked up with England U21s during the last international week.

: Penders, Acheampong, Colwill, Fofana, Neto, Caicedo, Henderson, Hato, Palmer, Rogers, Welbeck

: Gittens, Martinez, Lacroix, Pedro, James

: Gusto, Caicedo, Chavarria, Hato

Date and time: 12:30pm GMT Saturday, October 31

How to watch: TNT Sports