Premier League Updates: Palmer Set for The Blues Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Appeal Mystery
First Story: Star Talent Palmer Available for High-Stakes Capital Clash with The Gunners
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is available for selection for the team's vital top-flight encounter against local opponents Arsenal.
The young English international was out of action due to a fractured toe incurred after an unfortunate incident.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca commented. “The whole team is delighted.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games in all tournaments, scoring twice.
Since his arrival from Manchester City in the previous year, he has notched 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 appearances for the London club.
“He is our best player, we are happy he is back, we need to provide him with time to be completely ready,” Maresca added. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”
2. The Toffees Get No Explanation for Rejected Gueye Red Card Challenge
The Merseyside club have failed in their protest against Idrissa Gueye's red card for an on-field altercation with teammate Michael Keane during the squad's 1-0 victory at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old Senegal player was sent off just early on into the contest after hitting Keane amid a argument over a poor pass.
The player quickly said sorry, and the teammates appeared making up afterwards in a light-hearted online post.
However, the challenge against the dismissal was denied, and Gueye must serve a three-game suspension, making Everton short-staffed for their upcoming match against Newcastle.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes stated. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about additional consequences from the incident, Moyes continued: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we progressed rapidly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
3. Yoane Wissa Trains with The Magpies for Initial Session since Setback
The club's new signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the initial occasion since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his move from Brentford in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe confirmed the news on the end of the week but withheld a possible comeback timeline for the 29-year-old.
Newcastle brought in the striker for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record sum.
Regrettably, Wissa was hurt while on international duty before he could play his first game for Newcastle.
“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was very happy with how he looked,” Howe said. “It was his initial competitive session with the team. Let’s see how he responds today.”
Howe added: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Naturally, we want to utilize him as promptly.”
Additionally, Kieran Trippier will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.
4. Liverpool' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Insists Hammers Manager Nuno
The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that the reigning champions' dip in performance “doesn’t really matter” as his side prepares to take on the ailing Premier League champions.
The Liverpool manager's team has suffered six losses in seven recent league games, falling out of the upper half of the table.
Nevertheless, Nuno highlighted that there can be no room for overconfidence when the teams clash on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“Liverpool are a quality side and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are talented and able of doing good things, so we have to be ready.
“The history of the outcomes before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players capable of doing fantastic things, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to challenge.”
West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from fitness issues.
5. Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against Brighton
Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the team's home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The England international missed Thursday's Europa League game against the Swedish side due to a back injury.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche stated as he prepared to face Fabian Hürzeler's team, who have taken a decent haul from their past three outings.
“It’s similar to a sore back, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or move improperly. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s improving already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring muscle after the 3-0 European victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
Meanwhile, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Glasner: Conference League Loss Won't Hinder Palace
The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of Thursday's Conference League defeat to the French side is a indication of how far the club has come in challenging on two fronts.
The domestic cup winners went ahead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were equalized against by Liam Rosenior's side, who moved up to runner-up in the group standings.
Crystal Palace now return to domestic action with a home fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his team can maintain their challenge for a top four place.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “On the other side, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would not be available for Sunday's match after he stayed behind to France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the team selection.