Liam Delap injury: When is Chelsea striker expected back as Blues prepare for Atalanta clash?
Liam Delap faces yet another lengthy spell on the sidelines, according to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
The English centre-forward joined the club from Ipswich Town last summer, in a move worth £30m. But the 22-year-old has not yet had the chance to make an impression at Stamford Bridge.
To date, the 22-year-old has made just a handful of appearances for the Blues, initially being ruled out by a hamstring injury in August. He returned to the pitch at the end of October, but was dealt another blow against Bournemouth last weekend.
Bundled to the ground during a set piece, Delap picked up a shoulder injury that has sidelined him once again.
It means the Englishman has not travelled to Italy for Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Atalanta, and likely won’t be back fit again for some time.
Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s (December 9) game, Maresca said: “Unfortunately he has already been out for two months and he has to be out again. We don't know for how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder.
“He has been unlucky; we are also a bit unlucky because we need that kind of a number nine.”