Chelsea hopeful Cole Palmer will return for Barcelona clash

Palmer, 23, has been sidelined since September after aggravating a groin problem initially sustained in August. His last appearance came in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on September 20. Since then, he has missed nine matches, including all but one of the club's Champions League fixtures.

Chelsea will travel to Azerbaijan to face FK Qarabag on Wednesday before hosting Wolves in their final match prior to the international break. The Blues will then return to action on November 22 against Burnley, kicking off a demanding eight-day stretch featuring matches against Barcelona on November 25 and Arsenal on November 30 - both at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking ahead of the Qarabag fixture, Maresca provided an update on Palmer's recovery.

"We hope so," he said when asked whether Palmer could be fit to face Barcelona. "With Cole, we try to plan and schedule his recovery, but we have to review that regularly. Right now, we're going day by day - he's not yet training with the team."

Maresca emphasized Palmer's importance to his side, adding:

"To be honest, I'd like to have Cole back tomorrow. We are a better team with him. Unfortunately, he's been out, but we want him back very soon."

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