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First Story: Key Player Palmer Available for High-Stakes London Derby with Arsenal

The Blues manager Enzo Maresca stated on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the team's vital top-flight match against local rivals Arsenal.

The young England international was unavailable due to a fractured toe suffered after an accidental occurrence.

“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca said. “All involved are pleased.”

This season, Palmer has been limited to four outings across all competitions, finding the net on two occasions.

Since his arrival from City in 2023, he has notched 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 appearances for the London club.

“He is our most valuable asset, we are delighted he is back, we need to allow him time to be completely ready,” Maresca continued. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”

Second Story: The Toffees Get No Explanation for Rejected Idrissa Gueye Red Card Challenge

The Merseyside club were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's red card for an on-field altercation with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.

The 36-year-old Senegalese midfielder was dismissed just 13 minutes into the game after slapping Keane during a argument over a misplaced pass.

Gueye quickly said sorry, and the teammates were seen making up later in a mock online post.

However, the challenge against the red card was turned down, and Gueye must complete a three-game ban, making Everton short-staffed for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle United.

“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” coach David Moyes stated. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”

Inquired about more issues from the event, Moyes continued: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we moved on rapidly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”

3. Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Injury

Newcastle United's new signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his new teammates for the first time since suffering a knee injury shortly after his arrival from Brentford in September.

Manager Eddie Howe confirmed the news on Friday but did not disclose a potential comeback timeline for the player.

The team signed the striker for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.

Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on national team service before he could play his first game for Newcastle.

“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was very happy with how he looked,” Howe stated. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he responds today.”

Howe added: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s probably best if I withhold that information. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Of course, we want to involve him as quickly.”

Additionally, the defender will be sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury.

4. The Reds' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Says West Ham Boss Nuno

West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the reigning champions' dip in performance “doesn’t really matter” as his team prepares to face the ailing top-flight title holders.

Arne Slot's team has suffered six losses in seven recent league games, dropping out of the upper half of the standings.

Nevertheless, Nuno stressed that there can be no room for overconfidence when the sides meet on the weekend at the London Stadium.

“Liverpool are a quality side and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno commented. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are skilled and capable of doing fantastic things, so we have to get ready.

“The past of the results before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to compete.”

West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from fitness issues.

5. Morgan Gibbs-White in Contention for Forest against Brighton

The club's manager Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the team's at home fixture against Brighton on the weekend.

The England player was absent for the midweek European game against Malmö due to a back issue.

“We hope it is improving,” Dyche said as he prepared to face the Brighton manager's side, who have taken a decent haul from their last three matches.

“It’s comparable to back pain, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or twist funny. So we’re not anticipating, at this point anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s settling down already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be right for the weekend.”

The defender was feeling his hamstring after the comfortable Europa League win, but Dyche said the player “should be fine”.

Meanwhile, Ola Aina (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are likely to miss out.

6. Oliver Glasner: Conference League Defeat Won't Hinder Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of midweek's European defeat to Strasbourg is a sign of how much progress the team has advanced in challenging on two fronts.

The FA Cup holders went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were equalized against by the opposition manager's team, who climbed to second in the group standings.

Crystal Palace now return to Premier League action with a at Selhurst Park match against Manchester United, and Glasner is optimistic his side can keep up their push for a Champions League spot.

“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “Alternatively, we have to acknowledge it. The commitment was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”

Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would not be available for the weekend's match after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against the opponents, is expected to be in the team selection.