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First Story: Top Player Palmer Available for Crucial London Clash with Arsenal

The Blues manager Enzo Maresca announced on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's important top-flight fixture against local rivals Arsenal.

The young England midfielder was out of action due to a broken toe suffered after an accidental occurrence.

“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca said. “All involved are pleased.”

In the current campaign, Palmer has been limited to four outings in all tournaments, scoring twice.

Following his transfer from Manchester City in 2023, he has achieved 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances for the London club.

“He is our top performer, we are delighted he is back, we need to provide him with time to be 100% fit,” Maresca added. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do exceptionally well for this club in the future.”

2. Everton Get No Reason for Failed Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Challenge

The Merseyside club have failed in their protest against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a physical confrontation with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.

The 36-year-old Senegal player was dismissed just early on into the match after slapping Keane during a disagreement over a poor pass.

The player promptly expressed regret, and the teammates appeared making up afterwards in a light-hearted online post.

However, the challenge against the dismissal was turned down, and Gueye must serve a three-match ban, leaving Everton depleted for their upcoming match against Newcastle.

“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” manager David Moyes revealed. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”

When asked about additional consequences from the incident, Moyes remarked: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”

3. Wissa Practices with The Magpies for First Time since Injury

Newcastle United's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his squad for the initial occasion since suffering a knee problem shortly after his move from his former club in September.

Head coach Eddie Howe confirmed the news on the end of the week but kept private a potential return date for the 29-year-old.

The team brought in the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.

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

“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was very happy with how he looked,” Howe commented. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he responds today.”

The manager continued: “We have a target return date, but it’s probably best if I keep that to myself. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Naturally, we want to involve him as promptly.”

Additionally, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.

Fourth Story: The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says Hammers Manager Nuno

The Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that the reigning champions' dip in performance “is largely irrelevant” as his side prepares to face the struggling Premier League title holders.

Arne Slot's team has been defeated in six of their previous seven league games, falling out of the upper half of the standings.

However, Nuno stressed that there can be no room for overconfidence when the sides clash on Sunday at the London Stadium.

“Liverpool are a quality side and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are talented and able of doing great things, so we have to prepare.

“The history of the outcomes before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the day. Aware that we are going to face a very good team, that has players able of doing wonderful things, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to challenge.”

West Ham will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their return from injury.

Fifth Story: Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against The Seagulls

Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the side's home match against Brighton on Sunday.

The England international missed Thursday's European game against Malmö due to a back issue.

“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche commented as he prepared to face the Brighton manager's team, who have taken a decent haul from their last three outings.

“It’s comparable to back pain, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not anticipating, at this point anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s improving already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”

The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring after the 3-0 European win, but Dyche indicated the player “will likely be available”.

However, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to be unavailable.

6. Glasner: Conference League Defeat Won't Set Back Crystal Palace

The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner feels that the disappointment of midweek's European loss to Strasbourg is a indication of how much progress the team has come in competing 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 side, who moved up to second in the group standings.

The Eagles now switch focus to domestic competition with a home match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his team can keep up their challenge for a Champions League place.

“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “On the other side, we have to accept it. The commitment was there but it is a game we shouldn’t definitely lose.”

Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would be absent for Sunday's match after he did not travel to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the opening period against Strasbourg, should be in the team selection.