Xabi Alonso Confirms Moises Caicedo Out for Carabao Cup Tie

Xabi Alonso has ruled Moises Caicedo out of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United, but left the door open for a return at the weekend.

Caicedo has not shaken off the injury that sidelined him for the defeat to Arsenal, and Alonso made it clear he will not gamble with one of his key midfielders.

“No, not yet. Still not ready to go,” Alonso said when asked about Caicedo and fellow summer signing Marco Palestra. “Not the moment to take too early risk. So we go game by game with them and it's too early.”

Palestra will also sit out the Leeds clash as he continues to build towards full fitness, leaving Chelsea light in options for the cup tie.

The picture looks brighter for the league. Asked if Caicedo could feature in Saturday’s Premier League fixture, Alonso replied: “Potentially, yes. But we need to wait and probably Thursday, Friday, we'll know more.”

One boost comes at the back. Levi Colwill, an unused substitute against Arsenal, is available and ready to be involved.

“He's okay,” Alonso confirmed. “He's okay for tomorrow.”

The news is less encouraging for Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha, who remain sidelined and will also miss the Leeds game. Alonso was in no mood to put a timeline on their comebacks.

Asked when the pair might return, he simply said: “Ask me on Friday. Ask me on Friday.”