Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker has broken a bone in his foot and will be out of action for an indefinite amount of time.
Parker, signed in January from Charlton for £10million, has struggled to break into the Blues’ star-studded first XI and has started just one Barclays Premiership game so far this season.
A statement on the club’s official website, www.chelseafc.com, said: “Scott Parker has suffered an injury that will keep him out of action into the new year.
“The midfielder was examined straight after Saturday’s win over Norwich in which he came on as a substitute after 76 minutes. An x-ray showed he had suffered a broken metatarsal bone in his foot.
“The damage was sustained when Parker advanced into the Norwich penalty area towards the end of the game. A likely date for his return is not yet known.”