Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer is ready to start against Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.
The two London rivals meet in a top of the table clash on Sunday, with kick off set for 4.30pm at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer has missed the last two months of action with a groin injury he sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in September. He was expected to return sooner, but suffered a suspected broken toe earlier this month, prolonging his absence from the first team.
The playmaker has only made four appearances in all competitions this season as a result, but Maresca told reporters on Friday that he is “available to start and to play”.
“Yes, everyone is happy, the team-mates are happy, we are all happy and the most important thing is Cole is happy because a footballer wants to play games and make the sessions every day,” the Italian said in his pre-match press conference.
“He is our best player, we are happy he is back, we need to give him time to be 100% fit. He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
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