Jadon Sancho absence from Chelsea squad vs Man United explained

Chelsea are busy gearing up to face Manchester United in their return to action this weekend.

The go into the fixture on the back of a double-header against Newcastle that saw Chelsea claim a win in the Premier League clash but fall to a defeat in the Carabao Cup tie.

side will now look to return to winning ways with a victory against one of their biggest rivals in the top flight on Sunday afternoon.

have struggled with injuries in the early weeks of the season, and Maresca provided some positive news during his pre-match press conference.

Maresca has seemingly confirmed that Chelsea will have an almost fully available squad to take on United at Old Trafford this weekend, but it will be without at least one player.

will not be available for the clash against United, with Maresca confirming that the forward has suffered from illness this week.

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"We are looking good," Maresca told reporters on Friday. "The players, they are all available.

"Except for Jadon [Sancho], he has been ill in the last few days but he cannot play anyway."

Even if Sancho was fit enough to play, he would still not be available for Chelsea to face United. This is due to him being ineligible to face his parent club during a loan spell.

The Blues signed Sancho from United on a loan deal with an obligation to buy during the summer transfer window, with the final fee understood to be in the region of £20m-£25million.

Even though Sancho is set to become a long-term member of the Chelsea squad, the terms of the loan mean that he is still unable to face United until the deal becomes permanent next summer. From next season onwards, the Blues would be able to select Sancho to take on his former club in the Premier League should he be available.