Jesse Derry is doing well after the head injury that saw the Chelsea teenager taken to hospital earlier this week, but he will not play again this season.
Knocks suffered by Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho on the eve of the 3-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest saw academy star Derry handed his full Blues debut and first-ever Premier League appearance at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Derry made a positive impact but required nine minutes of medical attention on the pitch before eventually being stretchered off in first-half stoppage time after he had been knocked out by an accidental head-on-head collision with Forest defender Zach Abbott.
Derry was taken to hospital during the game. Chelsea confirmed shortly afterwards that the player was “conscious and talking” and undergoing precautionary checks.
On Thursday, Chelsea’s interim head coach Calum McFarlane gave a new update on his recovery.
“I spoke to Jesse's dad [former QPR and Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry] the night it happened and I spoke to the family yesterday as well,” McFarlane said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.
“It's positive. It’s really positive. I don't have the knowledge or the insights to go into massive detail, but all early signs are really positive.”
McFarlane added: “It’s really disappointing. As long as he's healthy - and the way it’s looking now - that's all that really matters.
“It was great to give him his [full] debut. I worked with Jesse at the Under-21s. He's had a fantastic season.
“He’s not going to be available for us from now until the end of the season. It’s an abrupt end to his season, but amazing for him to make his debut, and I think he showed in that first half his quality and what he can bring to this team.”
After being discharged from hospital, Derry wrote on Instagram on Tuesday: “A dream come true to start at Stamford Bridge for my Premier League debut.
“I’d like to thank all the Chelsea medical staff, everyone at St Mary’s Hospital, my team-mates, and all the fans for their great support.
“I can’t wait to be back playing in front of everyone very soon.”
