Enzo Maresca revealed that Cole Palmer could start in Chelsea’s Premier League match against Leeds United on Wednesday.
Palmer looked set to make his return in their London derby against Arsenal, but the playmaker was an unused substitute as 10-man Chelsea drew 1-1 with the league leaders.
The 23-year-old has not featured since aggravating a groin injury during the Blues’ defeat to Manchester United on September 20, with Palmer featuring in just three Premier League games so far this season.
His return was also delayed after he suffered a toe injury, which ruled him out of Chelsea’s fixtures against Burnley in the league and Barcelona in the Champions League.
Maresca intends to give Palmer some minutes against Leeds as he looks to build up his match fitness.
“He is available,” said Maresca on Palmer’s injury status.
“The last game he was on the bench. For sure with the players was more complicated for Cole because now he needs to come back in terms of fitness condition. He is available, he can start the game.
“The idea of the game is to start giving minutes until he can play 90 minutes.”
After their draw against the Gunners, Maresca stated that captain Reece James would not feature at Elland Road to preserve his fitness.
And the Italian coach reiterated that plan, saying: “I would like to start him, but we need to do the right thing.”
Leeds were condemned to a late defeat at Manchester City last time out, with the 3-2 loss leaving them 18th in the table.
Daniel Farke’s side have now lost each of their last four games in the league since a 4-1 win against West Ham on October 24.
And although they will be boosted by the return of Anton Stach, Daniel James is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
“Good news since Sunday with Anton, he's back in team training and definitely also available for this game,” said Farke.
"Some disappointing news with Daniel James. His hamstring tendon is injured. He will be out, sidelined, depends if he needs surgery or not.
"It looks like he will miss at least the next eight weeks. As it stands we have to expect he's out for two months at least, could be worse with surgery.
"We need him back as soon as possible, as quick as possible. In four weeks we will see a little clearer how long the injury will last.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Leeds United – Lukas Nmecha
Lukas Nmecha is Leeds’ top scorer in the Premier League this season with four goals, more than he managed in 19 Bundesliga games with Wolfsburg last season (three).
The 26-year-old has scored in each of his last three games, against Man City, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, though Leeds have gone on to lose all of those matches.
Chelsea – Cole Palmer
Palmer’s only previous Premier League appearance against Leeds was as an 88th-minute substitute for Man City in a 3-1 win at Elland Road in December 2022.
The Whites are one of only three teams he’s faced and not scored or assisted against, along with Leicester City and Norwich, while just for Chelsea, he has done so against 21 of the 22 teams he’s faced, failing only against the Foxes last season.