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Cole Palmer has given Chelsea fans encouragement by hinting that he is close to returning from injury.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who has been sidelined with a groin problem, shared a short message on Instagram reading "soon back", alongside photos from his time on and off the pitch.
Palmer was withdrawn during the warm-up before Chelsea's 5-1 victory over West Ham two weeks ago and also missed the Blues' 2-0 win against Fulham. His absence has extended into the international break, ruling him out of England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
Manager Enzo Maresca is yet to confirm whether Palmer will be fit for Chelsea's upcoming London derby against Brentford, the last of four successive capital clashes at the start of the season.
The Blues, who have made an unbeaten start under Maresca, are keen to have one of their most creative players available as soon as possible.
Palmer's off-field personality has also kept him in the spotlight. Known for being authentic and laid-back, he recently shared pictures from the Notting Hill Carnival, where he wore a disguise to celebrate his St Kitts heritage. Alongside his carnival photos, Palmer included a line to his 8.3 million followers: "A real flex is just being yourself in a world where people live for an image."
Away from football, Palmer has been embroiled in a legal dispute over his attempts to trademark the nickname "Cold Palmer", which he uses in his now-famous celebration. His application, intended to cover products ranging from clothing to food and drink, has been opposed by Chateau Palmer, a Bordeaux vineyard that sells wine for as much as seven hundred and fifty pounds a bottle.
Despite the off-field distractions, Palmer's focus remains on his recovery and a quick return to action.
