Chelsea star Cole Palmer is now expected to remain sidelined until early November with a groin problem.
The injury has hampered his start to the season – the 23-year-old has been out of action since being substituted during the defeat to Manchester United last month.
While initial hopes suggested he might be fit to return immediately after the current international break – potentially against Nottingham Forest on October 18 —it now appears he will be out longer.
Head coach Enzo Maresca recently spoke about how Chelsea have managed Palmer’s injury, insisting the club want to “protect Cole a little bit in terms of him not getting a worse injury.”
Palmer remaining sidelined is a blow for Chelsea but it could give the exciting Estevao a chance to further establish himself as a crowd favourite.
The young Brazilian scored the winner against Liverpool and has looked superb since his move to west London.
“We know that a young player can suffer when he moves from another country to settle down here and to play for this club,” Chelsea assistant coach Willy Caballero told reporters after the Liverpool game.
“So the players, first of all, are doing a great job to involve all the new players. And when we have the chance, we work.
“I can speak with him most of the time in Spanish because he understands. And he’s a really good kid. And we are so happy for him because he needs it, we need it, and he needs a goal as well.”