EPL News Roundup: Palmer Set for The Blues Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Unsuccessful Appeal Mystery
1. Star Player Palmer Available for High-Stakes London Clash with Arsenal
The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca stated on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's significant Premier League fixture against local rivals Arsenal.
The young England international had been sidelined due to a broken toe sustained after an unfortunate incident.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca commented. “All involved are pleased.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has made only four appearances in all tournaments, netting two goals.
After joining from Manchester City in 2023, he has recorded 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 games for the London club.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are pleased he is back, we need to provide him with time to be 100% fit,” Maresca added. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Reason for Failed Gueye Dismissal Challenge
The Merseyside club were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for an on-field altercation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old Senegalese midfielder was sent off just early on into the contest after striking Keane during a argument over a misplaced pass.
Gueye promptly expressed regret, and the teammates appeared reconciled afterwards in a mock online video.
However, the challenge against the red card was turned down, and Gueye must complete a three-game suspension, leaving Everton shorthanded for their next match against Newcastle.
“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” coach the manager stated. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about more issues from the event, Moyes added: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we progressed quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
Third Story: Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Setback
Newcastle United's recent signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his new teammates for the first time since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his move from Brentford in the autumn.
Manager Eddie Howe confirmed the development on Friday but kept private a possible comeback timeline for the 29-year-old.
The team signed the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.
Regrettably, Wissa was hurt while on national team duty before he could play his first game for Newcastle.
“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, 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 continued: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Of course, we want to involve him as promptly.”
In other news, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
Fourth Story: The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says West Ham Manager Nuno
The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that the reigning champions' recent poor form “is largely irrelevant” as his side gets ready to face the struggling Premier League title holders.
The Liverpool manager's team has been defeated in six of their previous seven league matches, falling out of the upper half of the standings.
However, Nuno highlighted that there can be no complacency when the sides meet on the weekend at the London Stadium.
“Liverpool is a good team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno remarked. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are skilled and able of doing fantastic things, so we have to be ready.
“The past of the results before, the performance 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 prepare thoroughly, to compete.”
The Hammers will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from injury.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White in Contention for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
The club's manager Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the team's home match against Brighton on Sunday.
The England international missed the midweek European game against Malmö due to a back injury.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche said as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have secured a decent haul from their past three matches.
“It’s comparable to back pain, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or move improperly. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s improving already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”
The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring muscle after the comfortable European win, but Dyche indicated the player “should be fine”.
Meanwhile, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
Sixth Story: Glasner: Conference League Defeat Won't Set Back Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the disappointment of Thursday's Conference League defeat to the French side is a sign of how far the team has come in challenging on multiple fronts.
The FA Cup winners went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were pegged back by the opposition manager's team, who moved up to second in the table.
Crystal Palace now return to domestic action with a home match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is confident his side can maintain their push for a Champions League place.
“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “Alternatively, we have to accept it. The commitment was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would not be available for Sunday's game after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who went off during the first half against Strasbourg, should be in the team selection.