Chelsea boost as Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer fitness update ahead of Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Blues star has been struggling with illness amid a dip in form

Palmer was substituted against Leicester at the weekend after being struck down with ‘fever and diarrhoea’

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Enzo Maresca has provided a fitness update on Cole Palmer after the Chelsea forward was struck down with illness last week.

The 22-year-old has had a dip in form and produced arguably one his worse performances of the season against Leicester, missing a penalty in the Premier League for the first time.

Maresca said after the Leicester game that Palmer had insisted on playing to “help the team” and the Chelsea boss has given a fresh update on his fitness ahead of two big games this week before the international break.

Maresca’s Chelsea face two big games this week before the international break

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Chelsea play Copenhagen on Thursday in the second leg of their Conference League last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge, leading 2-1 from the first leg last week.

The Blues then face Arsenal in a huge Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Maresca has also provided an update on Reece James, who also missed the Leicester game through illness.

Speaking on Wednesday, Maresca said: "Cole, Reece and Christo [Nkunku] have been in the session. Yesterday, they were not there. Today they were all here and are all back.”

The Chelsea boss added: “The only new one that is injured is Malo [Gusto].

“Romeo [Lavia] is much better. He is not in the Conference League squad, unfortunately. For him it’s more or less similar to Reece James — we want him to play as much as he can."

Maresca also revealed striker Nicolas Jackson will “probably” return after this month’s international break.