Overview
- Palmer rejoined team training on Monday after fracturing his left little toe at home, having been close to a comeback from a long-running groin injury.
- Chelsea had already ruled him out for Burnley and Barcelona, and his availability for Sunday’s Arsenal match remains uncertain pending progress this week.
- Maresca said the 23-year-old is back on the pitch and touching the ball, but offered no firm return date beyond saying the feeling is good.
- The toe setback followed more than two months out with a persistent groin problem, which has limited Palmer to four appearances since his last outing on September 20.
- Team-mate Marc Cucurella jokingly suggested the injury followed a loss on the FIFA video game, a lighthearted remark that the club has not presented as the cause.