When is Cole Palmer back from injury for Chelsea? | Football

Cole Palmer was called up for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad but he has remained with Chelsea over the international break as he recovers from injury.

The 22-year-old started in the Blues’ 1-0 win over Leicester City on March 9, but his manager Enzo Maresca revealed he had been struggling with illness before hand.

‘Cole didn’t train yesterday and during the night he didn’t feel well,’ Maresca said after the game, during which Palmer missed a penalty.

‘The reason why he didn’t train yesterday is fever and diarrhoea in the last 48 hours. This morning, he woke up and he asked me, “I want to be on the pitch because I want to help this team, this club to play Champions League“.

The England international came off the bench in Chelsea’s win over FC Copenhagen last Thursday, but was then absent from the squad as the Blues were beaten by Arsenal on Sunday.

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Speaking after the 1-0 defeat to the Gunners, Maresca said of Palmer: ‘Last week, as we know, he had some problem and unfortunately, yesterday he had a very small problem and we think that probably after the international break he will be ready to be back with us.

‘His injury was from yesterday’s session, it’s a muscular problem. He needs a scan, and it is planned for tomorrow [Monday] morning. I hope he can be back for our next game, but we need to wait for a scan.

‘We don’t wish players injury, but probably in Cole’s case in this moment it will give him some rest, physically and mentally, it could be good.’

Palmer would have loved to be involved in Tuchel’s first England squad, but the Three Lions confirmed on Tuesday: ‘Cole Palmer remains with Chelsea for further assessment on an injury sustained in club training last week.’

While Palmer underwent a scan on Monday, the Daily Mail are now reporting that the midfielder is set for a second scan to fully determine the extend of the lower-leg issue.

However, the report adds that the Blues are hopeful that Palmer will be able to make a swift return after the international and will be able to feature in their squad when they host Tottenham on April 3.

Chelsea then face a short trip to Brentford three days later before the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final away to Legia Warsaw on April 10.

Palmer’s injury comes after a sticky run of form for him, the first since he arrived at Chelsea since the start of last season.

The former Manchester City man last scored on January 14 in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, meaning he has now gone 10 games without a goal.

Speaking on Palmer’s struggles last month, Maresca said he had no concerns, saying it is simply the nature of form and the rest of the team rely too heavily on their England star.

‘No, I am not concerned about him,’ said the Italian. ‘I am always concerned about general performances but not Cole because Cole is a human being and always during a season he can have some moments where he struggles a little bit more.

‘Every game we expect a goal or an assist, but it is difficult. In this moment his team performance reflects the team’s that he struggles to score goals. We need to be more clinical when we get chances.’

He added: ‘Cole is just frustrated that we are not winning games. It is nothing more than that.

‘The problem with Cole is we rely on Cole for everything. I have said since the start we need to rely on the team for everything. For sure, there are top players like Cole, but we are not worried about Cole at all.’

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