Guus Hiddink has said Chelsea will open talks with Crystal Palace in a bid to resolve the situation surrounding Patrick Bamford's loan after the striker said he intended to return to Stamford Bridge in January.
Bamford, who told reporters after the goalless draw with Swansea on Monday that it had been a "terrible" five months at Selhurst Park, later posted a tweet in which he said his comments had been "taken completely out of context."
- Patrick Bamford (@Patrick_Bamford) December 30, 2015
Palace boss Alan Pardew did not appear to be aware of Bamford's intentions at his postmatch news conference, and Hiddink said Chelsea would attempt to clarify the situation in the coming days.
"That's an issue between the two clubs and we need to respect that," the Dutchman told a news conference. "The management and directors will talk about that at some point."
In his Twitter post, Bamford -- who has yet to return to Chelsea -- said: "My comments after the game at the weekend were taken completely out of context, and for that I want to apologise.
"I've really enjoyed my time at Palace, the lads have been brilliant, the gaffer and training were great.
"I want to thank the chairman as I couldn't have been at a nicer club. I'm just disappointed I couldn't do more for the team but wish them all the best for the second half of the season and thank the fans for their amazing support every weekend."
Bamford would not have been eligible to face Chelsea when they travel to Palace on Sunday under the terms of his loan agreement.
But Hiddink's own striker problems continue despite Diego Costa's return from suspension, with both Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao unlikely to be fit for the Selhurst trip.
"Falcao, I doubt [he will make it]," the Chelsea manager said. "He's gone back in almost the same injury last weekend when we tested him. Remy is also doubtful."
Cesc Fabregas is available for selection after shaking off the illness that sidelined him for Monday's goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Defender Gary Cahill is facing a race against time to be fit due to tight ligaments in his ankle but Hiddink said he was "not negative" about the prospects of him playing.