Xabi Alonso Rules Moises Caicedo Out for Carabao Cup

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

Caicedo, who missed the defeat to Arsenal, has not yet shaken off the injury that sidelined him for that game. Alonso made it clear he will not gamble on the midfielder’s fitness for a midweek cup tie.

“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 Alonso without two of his summer additions for the third-round meeting.

The picture could change quickly for Caicedo, though. Asked if the Ecuadorian could feature in Chelsea’s Premier League fixture on Saturday, Alonso sounded cautiously optimistic.

“Potentially, yes. But we need to wait and probably Thursday, Friday, we’ll know more,” he said, underlining that the final call will come late in the week.

There was at least one boost for Chelsea. Levi Colwill, an unused substitute against Arsenal, is available to face Leeds.

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

Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha remain sidelined and will not be involved in the Carabao Cup tie. On their timelines, Alonso was deliberately brief.

“Ask me on Friday. Ask me on Friday,” he replied, pushing the next update on his walking wounded to the end of the week, when Chelsea’s immediate plans for league and cup will be much clearer.