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 manager Enzo Maresca explained that Noni Madueke missed out of Saturday's 5-0 FA Cup victory over Morecambe through illness, rather than a result of another punishment. Madueke was publicly called out by Maresca earlier this season after he was dropped to the bench for Chelsea's 3-0 win over Aston Villa in December.

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”.