Enzo Maresca has delivered a fitness update on five Chelsea stars ahead of Saturday's Premier League curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Just over a month since clinching the Club World Cup triumph in the United States, the Blues return to domestic duties in the top flight.

Chelsea host their London neighbours at Stamford Bridge as they seek to launch the new campaign with maximum points.

Fresh arrivals Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Estevao and Dario Essugo could all feature in their maiden Premier League outings this weekend.

Nevertheless, attention centres on Maresca's defensive options following confirmation of Levi Colwill's lengthy absence last week.

The centre-back has gone under the knife for an anterior cruciate ligament problem picked up during training sessions.

"Now he's okay [and] aware that he is out for a long time," Maresca revealed on Friday.

"It's a big loss for us. How Levi was so important for us last season. Now he's out, we are going to try to find different solutions."

Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo are both in the frame to feature at centre-half against Palace, with Hato also possessing the versatility to operate in that position.

Nevertheless, the likes of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile remain at the club, and Maresca faced questions regarding their availability during his pre-match media briefing.

"He [Fofana] could be available. We'll see," Maresca said.

When pressed about Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Chalobah, he continued: "Benoit is in the process to come back. Romeo [is] exactly the same. Trev is okay."

Fofana, the French player, was absent for the majority of the previous season due to injury. He made 14 appearances in the Premier League, with 12 of them occurring within the first 13 matches before he reappeared in games against Arsenal and Leicester City.