Premier League Updates: Cole Palmer Set for The Blues Return; Gueye's Failed Appeal Lacks Explanation
1. Top Player Palmer Ready for Crucial London Derby with Arsenal
The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the squad's vital Premier League match against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old England midfielder was out of action due to a broken toe incurred after an unfortunate incident.
“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca declared. “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 the previous year, he has notched 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 matches for the London club.
“He is our best player, we are happy he is back, we need to give him time to be completely ready,” Maresca noted. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Reason for Rejected Gueye Red Card Challenge
Everton were unsuccessful in their protest against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for an on-field altercation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegal player was shown a red card just 13 minutes into the contest after striking Keane amid a dispute over a poor pass.
The player immediately apologized, and the pair were seen making up afterwards in a light-hearted social media video.
However, the challenge against the red card was rejected, and Gueye must serve a three-match suspension, making Everton short-staffed for their upcoming match against Newcastle United.
“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” coach David Moyes said. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”
When asked about any further fallout from the event, Moyes continued: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we progressed swiftly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
Third Story: Wissa Trains with The Magpies for First Time since Injury
Newcastle United's new signing Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the first time since sustaining a knee injury soon after his move from his former club in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe confirmed the news on the end of the week but withheld a possible comeback timeline for the player.
Newcastle brought in the forward for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on international duty before he could make his debut for his new club.
“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 said. “It was his initial competitive session with the team. Let’s see how he responds today.”
The manager added: “We have a target return date, but it’s probably best if I keep that to myself. We aim to avoid letting people down. 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 issue.
4. The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Insists Hammers 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 face the ailing top-flight title holders.
The Liverpool manager's side has lost six of the last seven league matches, dropping out of the top 10 of the table.
Nevertheless, Nuno highlighted that there can be no complacency when the teams clash on Sunday at the their home ground.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are skilled and capable of doing good 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 match day. Aware that we are going to face a very good team, that has players able of doing amazing feats, so we have to get ready, to challenge.”
West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from injury.
Fifth Story: Gibbs-White Could Feature for 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 English player was absent for Thursday's Europa League game against Malmö due to a back injury.
“Fortunately, it seems to be calming down,” Dyche said as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's side, who have taken a decent haul from their last three matches.
“It’s like a bad back, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not anticipating, at this point anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s settling down already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring muscle after the comfortable European victory, but Dyche said the player “is expected to be okay”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
6. Glasner: Conference League Defeat Will Not Set Back Palace
The Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of midweek's Conference League loss to the French side is a sign of how much progress the team has advanced in challenging on two fronts.
The domestic cup holders took the lead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were pegged back by Liam Rosenior's side, who climbed to runner-up in the group standings.
Crystal Palace now switch focus to domestic competition with a home match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his team can maintain their push for a Champions League place.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was totally avoidable and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “On the other side, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would miss out for Sunday's match after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against Strasbourg, should be in the matchday squad.