Enzo Maresca, the coach of Chelsea, confirmed that the team's star, Cole Palmer, is close to participating in matches, ahead of their game against Leeds United tomorrow, Wednesday, in the English Premier League.

Maresca said at the press conference: "Palmer is available to participate, but we will need to manage his playing minutes as he returns to full fitness."

He added: "In the last match, Palmer was on the bench, but with only ten players available, it was difficult to bring him on because he had not yet reached full physical fitness."

The coach continued: "He is capable of starting the match, and the idea is to give him gradual minutes so that he will be ready to play a full game later on."

Maresca reported that the team will continue to be without some other players, saying: "In addition to Caicedo, Levi Colwell will also be absent as he is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, as well as Dario Isogo and Romeo Lavia."

He added, explaining the players' condition: "Romeo is still recovering, and Dario has started some training sessions with us, but he needs to ease off a bit now, so he will be absent again. The rest are all in good condition."

This development comes after Palmer recovered from the injury that kept him out since September 20, and he was on the bench in the last round against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw without participating.