Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana will feel pain “for the rest of his career” after the serious knee injury that kept him out for a year, according to Blues head coach Enzo Maresca.
The Frenchman appeared to have some discomfort in his knee during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.
Chelsea face the Magpies again on Wednesday when they take the trip up to St James Park in the Carabao Cup.
Fofana missed virtually all of last season with his knee injury.
“He had a bad movement in the first half, very bad,” said Maresca “But he’s a fighter. He was there, probably with pain, playing with the pain.
“I said in one of my last press conferences that I really love Wes because it’s not easy after more than one year out to come back and be a fighter in the way he is.
“Now he is also fighting with the pain. When you have that kind of injury, you’re going to feel pain for the rest of your career. Unfortunately, it’s like this. He finished well. He looks okay.”
Maresca also spoke about the progress of Reece James, who has started Chelsea’s last two Premier League matches after being sidelined for almost a year.
“He played two Premier League games in a row with us - Liverpool and Newcastle - in both games he was very good”, said Maresca.
“It didn't surprise me because I know how good he is. It is so important for us, for Reece, for the club; the only thing we want is to keep him fit and this is the main target.”
