EPL Headlines: Cole Palmer Set for Chelsea Comeback; Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation

First Story: Key Player Palmer Ready for Important Capital Derby with Arsenal

The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca stated on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the squad's important Premier League fixture against London opponents Arsenal.

The 23-year-old English international had been sidelined due to a fractured toe sustained after an accidental incident.

“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca commented. “The whole team is delighted.”

This season, Palmer has made only four appearances in every contest, finding the net on two occasions.

Since his arrival from Manchester City in 2023, he has notched 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 appearances for the London club.

“He is our most valuable asset, we are happy he is back, we need to provide him with time to be completely ready,” Maresca noted. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”

2. The Toffees Receive No Explanation for Rejected Gueye Red Card Challenge

Everton have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a fight with teammate Michael Keane during the team's 1-0 victory at Manchester United.

The veteran Senegal player was sent off just early on into the match after slapping Keane amid a argument over a poor pass.

Gueye immediately apologized, and the teammates were seen making up afterwards in a mock online post.

However, the appeal against the red card was turned down, and Gueye must complete a three-match suspension, leaving Everton short-staffed for their next match against Newcastle United.

“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” coach David Moyes stated. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”

Inquired about any further fallout from the incident, Moyes continued: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”

3. Yoane Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Injury

Newcastle United's new acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the initial occasion since suffering a knee problem shortly after his arrival from his former club in the autumn.

Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on Friday but withheld a potential return date for the 29-year-old.

Newcastle signed the striker for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a record-breaking transfer fee.

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

“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe commented. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he reacts today.”

Howe continued: “We have a target return date, but it’s probably best if I withhold that information. We aim to avoid letting people down. Of course, we want to include him as quickly.”

Additionally, the defender will be out of action for a month with a hamstring issue.

Fourth Story: The Reds' Poor Form ‘Irrelevant’, Insists West Ham Boss Nuno

The Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that Liverpool' current slump “doesn’t really matter” as his side gets ready to face the ailing top-flight title holders.

Arne Slot's team has lost six of the last seven Premier League matches, dropping out of the top 10 of the standings.

However, Nuno stressed that there can be no room for overconfidence when the teams clash on Sunday at the their home ground.

“Liverpool is a good team and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno remarked. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are talented and able of doing good things, so we have to be ready.

“The history of the results before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the day. Knowing that we are going to face a very good team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to be fully prepared, to perform.”

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

Fifth Story: Gibbs-White in Contention for Nottingham Forest against The Seagulls

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

The English international missed Thursday's European match against Malmö due to a back issue.

“We hope it is improving,” Dyche stated as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's team, who have taken a decent haul from their past three matches.

“It’s similar to a sore 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 very severe and it’s improving already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”

Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the comfortable Europa League win, but Dyche indicated the player “is expected to be okay”.

However, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to be unavailable.

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

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of Thursday's Conference League loss to the French side is a sign of how much progress the team has come in competing 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 team, who moved up to runner-up in the table.

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

“Similar to the late loss against Everton, it just feels that it was totally avoidable and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “However, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment was there but it is a game we shouldn’t definitely lose.”

Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would be absent for the weekend's game after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who went off during the first half against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the team selection.

Debbie Martin
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