Madueke was left out of Chelsea ’s squad as Maresca’s side hammered the League Two strugglers 5-0 to reach the Fourth Round. Maresca had not reported any fitness issue for Madueke ahead of kick-off and his absence raised eyebrows, coming after he had been dropped for last month’s defeat to Fulham in what his manager called a “technical decision”.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained Noni Madueke's absence from his matchday squad to face Morecambe in the FA Cup third round. The Blues went into the game

Chelsea will be without Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for their FA Cup third round home game against Morecambe, manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will leave both Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei out of his squad this weekend for the visit of Morecambe in the FA Cup third round. Speaking to the media on Friday, Maresca admitted that he did not want the players to pick up injuries,