Cole Palmer is available after his long-awaited return from injury when Chelsea go against Premier League leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Palmer has been sidelined for the past two months due a groin injury, and also suffered a set-back after stubbing his toe in a freak injury at home.
The toe injury saw him missed Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Barcelona on Tuesday but the England international has trained this week, wearing a special boot.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has now confirmed that Palmer is available for selection to face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.
Cole Palmer during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
At a press conference on Friday, Maresca said: “He [Palmer] is available for both [to start and to play].”
This latest update will come as a huge shock as Maresca confirmed earlier this month that his star midfielder return against Arsenal was off the cards, but it seems things have changed.
Before the Burnley match, he said: “Unfortunately he had an accident at home with his toe. But it’s nothing important. For sure he is not back next week.”
When pushed on Palmer’s latest issue, Maresca added: “We don’t know. It’s fractured. The only thing we know is he is not available for this week and next week.”
Maresca was also handed another injury boost with Dario Essugo returning to training after a lengthy spell out. Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee while Romeo Lavia suffered a fresh injury earlier this month with clarity on a return unclear.
