First Story: Top Player Palmer Ready for Crucial London Derby with The Gunners
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca announced on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the team's important Premier League fixture against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old England international was unavailable due to a broken toe sustained after an unfortunate occurrence.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca declared. “The whole team is delighted.”
This season, Palmer has been limited to four outings in all tournaments, netting two goals.
Since his arrival from City in the previous year, he has notched 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 games for Chelsea.
“He is our best player, we are pleased he is back, we need to provide him with time to be completely ready,” Maresca continued. “He has been brilliant historically and no doubt he is going to do exceptionally well for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Explanation for Failed Idrissa Gueye Red Card Appeal
The Merseyside club have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a physical confrontation with teammate Michael Keane during the team's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old Senegal midfielder was sent off just early on into the match after striking Keane amid a argument over a misplaced pass.
The player quickly said sorry, and the teammates appeared making up afterwards in a mock social media post.
However, the appeal against the dismissal was rejected, and Gueye must complete a three-game suspension, making Everton short-staffed for their next fixture against Newcastle United.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes revealed. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”
When asked about more issues from the event, Moyes remarked: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
Third Story: Wissa Practices with The Magpies for First Time since Injury
Newcastle United's recent signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his new teammates for the first time since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his move from his former club in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on the end of the week but withheld a possible return date for the 29-year-old.
The team brought in the striker for £55m to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a record-breaking sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was hurt while on national team service before he could make his debut for his new club.
“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, 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 reacts today.”
The manager continued: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s likely best if I withhold that information. We aim to avoid letting people down. Of course, we want to utilize him as soon as possible.”
In other news, Kieran Trippier will be sidelined for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.
Fourth Story: The Reds' Slump ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says West Ham Manager Nuno
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the reigning champions' dip in performance “is largely irrelevant” as his team prepares to face the ailing Premier League title holders.
Arne Slot's team has lost six of the last seven league matches, falling out of the top 10 of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno stressed that there can be no taking it easy when the sides meet on the weekend at the London Stadium.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno remarked. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are skilled and capable of doing great things, so we have to get ready.
“The past of the results before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a very good team, that has players able of doing amazing feats, so we have to be fully prepared, to compete.”
West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from fitness issues.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be ready for the team's home fixture against Brighton on the weekend.
The England player missed Thursday's European match against Malmö due to a back injury.
“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche said as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's side, who have taken a decent haul from their past three matches.
“It’s comparable to back pain, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s settling down already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”
Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the 3-0 Europa League victory, but Dyche indicated the player “will likely be available”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Glasner: Conference League Defeat Will Not Set Back Palace
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the disappointment of midweek's Conference League loss to the French side is a indication of how far the team has advanced in competing on multiple fronts.
The domestic cup winners took the lead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were equalized against by the opposition manager's team, who climbed to runner-up in the table.
The Eagles now switch focus to Premier League competition with a at Selhurst Park match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is confident his team can keep up their challenge for a top four place.
“Similar to the late loss against Everton, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “Alternatively, we have to accept it. The effort was there but it is a game we shouldn’t definitely lose.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would miss out for Sunday's match after he did not travel to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the opening period against the opponents, should be in the team selection.
