Cole Palmer has handed Chelsea a major boost by returning to training ahead of next week’s London derby against Tottenham.
Palmer missed the 1-0 defeat by Arsenal prior to the international break because of a muscle problem and subsequently pulled out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
While long-term absentee Nicolas Jackson returned to training earlier this week, there was concern that Palmer had not yet done likewise.
However, both Palmer and fellow Englishman Noni Madueke - who has been out for six weeks with a hamstring issue - were back in training at Cobham on Friday, six days out from the clash with Spurs.
Palmer had started every Premier League game for the Blues this season before sitting out the Arsenal loss and manager Enzo Maresca suggested the rest could do his struggling playmaker good.
“We don’t wish players to get injured but in Cole’s case, in this moment, it will give him some rest, physically and mentally,” Maresca said, with Palmer having now gone 10 games without a goal or an assist across all competitions. “It could be good.”
With Madueke also closing in on a return and Jackson expected to be in contention for the first time since limping off against West Ham at the start of February, Maresca may at last be able to field his first-choice attack as the run-in begins.
Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League table, but with Brighton, Newcastle and Manchester City all in action earlier next week, could find themselves as low as seventh by the time they kick off against Spurs.
