EPL Updates: Cole Palmer Poised for The Blues Return; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Star Talent Palmer Ready for High-Stakes London Clash with The Gunners
The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is available for selection for the team's significant top-flight encounter against local rivals Arsenal.
The young English midfielder was unavailable due to a broken toe incurred after an unfortunate occurrence.
“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca said. “Everyone is happy.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has been limited to four outings in all tournaments, scoring twice.
Since his arrival from Manchester City in 2023, he has achieved 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 matches for the London club.
“He is our top performer, we are happy he is back, we need to give him time to be 100% fit,” Maresca noted. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do exceptionally well for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Get No Reason for Failed Gueye Dismissal Challenge
Everton have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's narrow win at Old Trafford.
The veteran Senegal midfielder was sent off only early on into the match after striking Keane during a argument over a misplaced pass.
The player quickly said sorry, and the pair were seen reconciled later in a mock online video.
However, the challenge against the dismissal was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-match suspension, leaving Everton short-staffed for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach the manager stated. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about additional consequences from the incident, Moyes added: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we progressed quite quickly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
3. Wissa Practices with Newcastle for First Time since Injury
The club's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his squad for the initial occasion since suffering a knee injury soon after his arrival from his former club in September.
Manager Eddie Howe confirmed the news on the end of the week but withheld a potential comeback timeline for the 29-year-old.
The team signed the forward for £55m to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record sum.
Regrettably, Wissa was injured while on national team service before he could play his first game for his new club.
“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe stated. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
Howe continued: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s probably best if I do not share it publicly. We aim to avoid letting people down. Naturally, we want to involve him as quickly.”
Additionally, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.
4. Liverpool' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Says Hammers Boss Nuno
West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that the reigning champions' recent poor form “is largely irrelevant” as his side prepares to face the struggling Premier League champions.
Arne Slot's side has been defeated in six of their previous seven Premier League games, falling out of the upper half of the table.
Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no complacency when the sides clash on the weekend at the their home ground.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno commented. “So what we expect is the champions of the Premier League, players that are talented and able of doing good things, so we have to get ready.
“The history of the outcomes before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Aware 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 perform.”
West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from fitness issues.
Fifth Story: Morgan Gibbs-White in Contention for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
The club's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the side's at home fixture against Brighton on the weekend.
The English international missed Thursday's European game against the Swedish side due to a back injury.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche stated as he prepared to face the Brighton manager's team, who have secured a decent haul from their last three matches.
“It’s like a bad back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or move improperly. So we’re not expecting, at this stage anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s easing already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring muscle after the 3-0 Europa League win, but Dyche indicated the player “should be fine”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to be unavailable.
6. Oliver Glasner: European Loss Will Not Set Back Palace
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of midweek's Conference League defeat to Strasbourg is a sign of how much progress the club has advanced in competing on multiple fronts.
The FA Cup winners took the lead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were equalized against by the opposition manager's side, who climbed to second in the group standings.
The Eagles now switch focus to Premier League action with a home match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is confident 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. “Alternatively, we have to take it on the chin. The effort was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would miss out for the weekend's match after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the team selection.