Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that attacking midfielder Cole Palmer will not be available for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia later this month due to injury.
Maresca explained that Palmer is dealing with a muscle issue and will require a scan. Palmer was also absent from Chelsea’s squad for their 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, a match in which Mikel Merino’s goal secured all three points for Arsenal.
When asked about Palmer’s availability for England, Maresca stated in his post-match interview:
“Cole Palmer will not play for England; he’s injured and needs a scan. The scan is scheduled for Monday. We hope he will return after the international break, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal left them in fourth place, although they have played one game more than sixth-placed Newcastle United. The Blues will hope to have Palmer back for their next match against Tottenham Hotspur on April 3.
