**Newcastle’s next Premier League opponents Chelsea have rested Cole Palmer for their Carabao Cup tie against Cardiff City in view to him playing at St James’ Park this weekend.**
Palmer is still carrying a groin injury, which he has been managing since the summer. He did start his first game since September at the weekend, scoring during a 2-0 win over Everton.
However, speaking ahead of their midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Cardiff City, head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Palmer would not feature in the match in order to manage his fitness:
“I already said many times in all the press conferences that the target for the ones that they need to be protected is the target. Cole in this moment is one of the players that he deserves to be protected, and in this moment he’s not available to play two games in three days.”
What has Palmer said about his injury?
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The England international spent a couple of months on the [**treatment table**](https://newcastleunitednews.org/blog/newcastle-vs-sunderland-injury-news) in order to allow the issue to clear up, but in his post-match interview following the Everton victory, Palmer said:
“I wouldn’t say I’m at my best yet. I’m still dealing with an injury. Hopefully, it gets better and better but there’s still a bit to go.”
“It is getting better. The stuff I’ve been doing with the physios at the club. It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon. Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”
Newcastle have their own injury problems
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Head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed that Dan Burn could be out for 4 to 6 weeks after he damaged his lung during the Tyne-Wear derby last weekend.
The 33-year-old joins the likes of Sven Botman (back), Will Osula (ankle), Emil Krafth (knee), Kieran Trippier (hamstring) and Nick Pope (groin) on the sidelines.
[**Read more about the Newcastle United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here**](https://newcastleunitednews.org/blog/newcastle-united-first-team-squad/)