Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has calmed fears that forward Cole Palmer may require surgery after limping off in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Palmer, who has been battling a groin problem this season, lasted just 21 minutes before signalling that he could not continue. The setback comes as Chelsea continue to search for consistency in the Premier League.

Addressing reporters after the game, Maresca dismissed speculation of an operation.

“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery. I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest,” he said.

The Italian praised Palmer’s determination to play despite not being fully fit.

“He made a huge effort on Saturday to try to play the game. He did the test, and he was OK, but not 100 per cent. But he wanted to be there to help his teammates and to be there in that kind of game. Unfortunately, it was painful, so we decided to change it. And it’s more day-by-day, week-by-week, game-by-game to see how it is and then decide what we do.”

Palmer is expected to miss Tuesday’s League Cup third-round clash against Lincoln City, joining Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile on the sidelines. The fixture could open the door for several academy players to feature in the squad, although Maresca admitted his concern.

“These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily. Football is full of these kinds of games, and I am very worried about that,” he added.