[](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-injury-news-cole-palmer-dario-essugo/2/)
**Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer was an unused substitute during the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.**
Asked whether the 23-year-old is actually fit enough to play after recovering from groin and toe injuries, head coach Enzo Maresca said that the only reason he didn’t come on at the weekend was because of the circumstances following Moises Caicedo’s red card:
“Yes. He is available. The last game, he was on the bench. For sure, with ten players, it was more complicated for Cole, because for now, he needs to come back in terms of fitness condition.
“He can start the game. The idea with him is to start giving him minutes until he can play 90 minutes.”
**Expected Return Date – Wednesday 3rd December vs Leeds (a)**
[](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-injury-news-cole-palmer-dario-essugo/2/)