Cole Palmer is in contention to start for Chelsea against Leeds on Wednesday night, Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
Palmer was on Sunday, against Arsenal, named in a matchday squad for the first time since September, but was not called upon from the bench.
The 23-year-old has only played four times this season due to a recurring groin injury, before suffering a freak toe fracture at his home almost two weeks ago.
Maresca might have turned to Palmer from the bench against Arsenal, but opted against doing so due to Moises Caicedo’s first-half red card, which changed the coach’s game plan.
Asked whether Palmer could make his return from the start at Elland Road, Maresca replied: “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.”
Reece James put in a man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal, but is one of a trio of players having his minutes managed this season when fit, along with Wesley Fofana and the sidelined Romeo Lavia.
Asked whether James would be given a rest against Leeds, Maresca said: “It's complicated. I would like to start him, but we need to do the right thing.
“When we decide on him as a midfielder, most of the time it's also when we want physicality in terms of midfielders, when we face some teams that are strong in the middle.
“So it depends a little bit on the game plan. He's doing very well in both positions [midfield and right-back].”
