Mauricio Pochettino provides update on Cole Palmer return after missing Arsenal defeat

Cole Palmer missed Monday’s game through illness (Picture: Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino is unsure when Cole Palmer will be available again after missing the defeat to Arsenal through illness.

The former Manchester City starlet has hit a sensational run of form in recent weeks, now joint-top Premier League goal scorer after taking his tally to 20 after scoring four times against Everton last week.

The 21-year-old started Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final showdown against his former club, spotted with heavy strapping on his thigh was also appearing to suffer a minor knock early in the game.

On Monday, Palmer missed training with Pochettino later confirming he was a serious doubt for the game against Arsenal, left out of the matchday squad last night.

Without their talisman, Chelsea were embarrassed in a 5-0 defeat to their London rivals with Pochettino unable to offer good news on Palmer post-match.

Asked about Palmer’s possible return date, Pochettino told Match of the Day: ‘We don’t know, we need to assess tomorrow.

‘We will see the squad that we have. We need to deal with the situation.’

Palmer has scored 20 league goals this season (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea’s recent form has seen them fight their way back into European qualification contention. Victory last night would have seen them leapfrog West Ham United and Manchester United into seventh place, level on points with sixth place Newcastle United.

The Blues have six games of the season left, starting with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday before the visit of Tottenham on 2 May.

After their eight match unbeaten run was ended in devastating fashion, Pochettino bemoaned his side’s lack of consistency.

‘When we have bad days, we are so bad. When we are good, we are capable of everything,” Pochettino told reporters.

‘We cannot blame the players, I’m not going to blame the players. We cannot blame young guys who came here and after suffering some circumstances, come here to fight against a team preparing to win the Premier League.

‘It is true we are disappointed with our performance, but I am not going to say something which is unfair to describe our team, our players, our squad.’

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