LONDON, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer will be rested for up to three weeks as he manages a nagging groin problem.

The 22-year-old was forced off in the first half of last weekend's defeat to Manchester United after the issue resurfaced, having first troubled him during Chelsea's shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup triumph in July.

Enzo Maresca's side will face Brighton and Liverpool in the Premier League, along with Jose Mourinho's Benfica in the Champions League, before October's international break.

"Yes, we decided to protect...Cole, in terms of not letting his injury get worse," said Maresca. "We decided to rest him for two to three weeks until the international break to see if with that rest he can recover 100% and to be fit after the international break."

"I don't think he needs surgery, but it is just to manage the pain in his groin. We have decided to be a little bit conservative with him."

Palmer has started only three of Chelsea's seven games this season and also missed England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia earlier this month. The Three Lions will face Wales in a friendly on October 9 before meeting Latvia in a World Cup qualifier five days later.

Maresca will also be without Tosin Adarabioyo until after the break due to a calf injury, while Wesley Fofana is sidelined for Saturday's clash with Brighton after suffering a concussion. ■