EPL Updates: Cole Palmer Ready for The Blues Return; Gueye's Unsuccessful Appeal Lacks Explanation

First Story: Key Player Palmer Fit for Crucial London Derby with Arsenal

The Blues manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the team's significant top-flight match against local rivals Arsenal.

The young English midfielder was unavailable due to a broken toe suffered after an accidental occurrence.

“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca commented. “The whole team is delighted.”

This season, Palmer has featured in just four games in all tournaments, scoring twice.

Following his transfer from City in 2023, he has notched 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 games for Chelsea.

“He is our top performer, we are happy he is back, we need to allow him time to be completely ready,” Maresca continued. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”

Second Story: The Toffees Get No Explanation for Rejected Gueye Red Card Appeal

The Merseyside club were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's red card for a physical confrontation with teammate Michael Keane during the team's 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

The veteran Senegalese midfielder was shown a red card only 13 minutes into the game after slapping Keane during a disagreement over a poor pass.

Gueye promptly expressed regret, and the teammates appeared making up afterwards in a light-hearted social media video.

However, the appeal against the red card was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-match suspension, making Everton shorthanded for their next fixture against Newcastle United.

“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” manager the manager revealed. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”

Inquired about more issues from the incident, Moyes added: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”

3. Yoane Wissa Practices with The Magpies for First Time since Setback

Newcastle United's recent signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the initial occasion since sustaining a knee problem soon after his move from Brentford in the autumn.

Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on Friday but withheld a potential return date for the player.

The team brought in the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.

Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on national team duty before he could make his debut for Newcastle.

“His recovery is going smoothly, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was very happy with how he looked,” Howe commented. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he responds today.”

The manager added: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s likely best if I withhold that information. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Naturally, we want to include him as soon as possible.”

In other news, Kieran Trippier will be out of action for a month with a hamstring injury.

Fourth Story: The Reds' Slump ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says West Ham Boss Nuno

The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that the reigning champions' recent poor form “doesn’t really matter” as his team prepares to take on the struggling top-flight title holders.

Arne Slot's side has suffered six losses in seven recent league matches, dropping out of the upper half of the table.

However, Nuno emphasized that there can be no room for overconfidence when the teams meet 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 said. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are skilled and able of doing great things, so we have to be ready.

“The past of the results before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the day. Aware that we are going to face a excellent team, that has players capable of doing wonderful things, so we have to get ready, to compete.”

The Hammers will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from injury.

5. Gibbs-White in Contention for Forest against Brighton

Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be ready for the side's home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

The England international was absent for Thursday's European match against the Swedish side due to a back injury.

“Fortunately, it seems to be calming down,” Dyche said as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's team, who have taken seven points from their last three outings.

“It’s comparable to back pain, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s easing already. So we’re confident that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”

Murillo was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring muscle after the comfortable European win, but Dyche indicated the player “is expected to be okay”.

Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to be unavailable.

6. Oliver Glasner: European Defeat Won't Hinder Palace

Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of Thursday's European defeat to Strasbourg is a sign of how far the team has come in challenging on multiple fronts.

The FA Cup holders went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were equalized against by the opposition manager's side, who moved up to second in the group standings.

The Eagles now switch focus to domestic action with a home fixture against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his side can keep up their push for a Champions League place.

“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “However, we have to accept it. The commitment was there but it is a game we shouldn’t definitely lose.”

Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would not be available for Sunday's match after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the opening period against the opponents, should be in the matchday squad.

Chad Lee
Chad Lee

A passionate linguist and storyteller with over a decade of experience in writing and education.