Palmer facing a race against time to be fit for next week's derby with Spurs

Cole Palmer has not trained with team-mates since picking up his muscular problem before the international break, leaving Chelsea sweating on their playmaker’s availability for next week’s showdown with arch rivals Tottenham.

The injury forced Palmer to miss his team’s last Premier League loss at Arsenal nearly two weeks ago, as he was then unable to join up with Thomas Tuchel’s and England for the World Cup qualifiers with Albania and Latvia.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca has continued to work at Cobham with those who likewise did not travel away for international duty, including Nicolas Jackson, the striker who is expected to be ready to return for Tottenham after two months on the sidelines.

Numbers have also been boosted by youngsters being called up from the academy to train with the first-team, but Mail Sport has learned Palmer has not yet participated in such sessions.

It is unclear when he will be able to do so, though given his importance as their chief creator of chances, Chelsea would be willing to leave it as late as possible before making any final call on his inclusion for Spurs.

There was initially optimism surrounding Palmer’s issue, even as he was sent for a second scan at the start of the international break.

It has been a demanding season for the 22-year-old Englishman, who had started every other Premier League game for Chelsea before their trip to Arsenal.

Despite being out of form, his absence was still a significant blow for that 1-0 defeat.

Chelsea are looking for a strong run-in to confirm a return to the Champions League. They currently sit fourth in the table, and beat Spurs 4-3 away from home earlier in the season in a comeback in which Palmer scored twice, including an ice-cool Panenka penalty.