Chelsea handed fresh injury blow ahead of Brentford clash after triple scare

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has withdrawn from the Brazil squad due to an injury problem.

Pedro has started the season in sensational form with three goals in five appearances, also laying on three assists.

The Brazil international came to Chelsea’s rescue on Saturday afternoon with a late equaliser at home to Hull City, rescuing a point having been beaten by Arsenal the previous week.

Pedro was absent from training on Tuesday ahead of his side’s trip to Brentford on Friday night, their last game before the extended international break.

The former Brighton star was left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad in the summer but his electric form earned him a recall ahead of back-to-back fixtures against Australia in Queensland and Brisbane.

But Pedro will no longer be involved with the Brazilian football federation confirming he has withdrawn due to injury.

‘Fluminense athlete Martinelli was called up on this Wednesday (16) by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil National Team’s friendlies against Australia and India, in the upcoming FIFA international window. The player will replace Chelsea striker João Pedro, who is injured.’

Doubts over Pedro’s fitness would likely see Danny Welbeck handed a starting role under the lights in west London on Friday evening.

Reece James and Moises Caicedo were also absent from part of Tuesday’s training session.

James has played the full 90 minutes in three of Chelsea’s four league games in a central midfield role, coming through unscathed again against Hull at the weekend.

Caicedo meanwhile is still to start a game this term.

The midfielder missed Chelsea’s league opener against Fulham but returned to the substitute bench for the following game against Brighton. He was forced off after just 14 minutes that afternoon however, missing the defeat at Arsenal and the draw with Hull last time out.

Speaking last week, Alonso was hopeful he would be fit for the short trip to the GTech Stadium.

‘Not yet, we’ll see for Brentford,’ the Chelsea boss said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Hull game.

‘We’re not at a moment to take risks with him. Not yet; we are not yet.’

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