Chelsea will have Cole Palmer available for their Premier League clash against Aston Villa tonight.
The Blues saw an eight-game undefeated run end in spectacular fashion after being thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Palmer, who wore heavy strapping on his thigh during Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, missed that game through illness with the Blues struggling badly in his absence.
Much to the relief of Chelsea fans, Palmer was pictured back in training on Thursday with his manager confirming he should be ready to return to the starting XI at Villa Park on Saturday night.
Reece James and Levi Colwill were also both spotted back in training this week but neither are in contention to make this weekend’s squad.
Malo Gusto meanwhile missed the Arsenal game with ‘minor’ knee ligament injurywith an injury update from Chelsea on Friday noting he is ‘undergoing a rehabilitation programme.’
Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling have also been ruled out after picking up knocks this week.
Chelsea will also be without Enzo Fernandez for the rest of the season with the midfielder undergoing groin surgery.
The Argentina international has been carrying the injury for some time with reports in Argentina suggesting he has been struggling with an inguinal hernia.
Fernandez hopes undergoing the procedure now will ensure he is fit for Argentina’s Copa America campaign this summer.
In Fernandez’s absence, Conor Gallagher could be asked to occupy a deeper midfield role alongside Moises Caicedo.
Genting Casinos’ Premier League Result Predictor says Aston Villa have a 57% chance of beating Chelsea this weekend, with the Blues’ chance of a win at 21%.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Petrovic, Gilchrist, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella, Gallagher, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson
Aston Villa vs Chelsea kick-off time and TV channel
Villa host Chelsea on Saturday 27 April with kick-off scheduled for 8pm [BST]. TNT Sports 1 will have live coverage of the game.
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