UEFA Champions League team news: Cole Palmer available for Chelsea clash with Napoli, Erling Haaland set to start for Manchester City

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Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be available for their crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Napoli. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot faces a defensive headache, while Erling Haaland and Phil Foden are expected to start for Manchester City. There will be 18 Champions League games on Wednesday night and all the action is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Cole Palmer is in contention for Chelsea's crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Napoli in Italy on Wednesday.

Palmer was absent for Chelsea's wins over Pafos and Crystal Palace in the last week with a thigh injury.

But the star man is now fit again for selection for the game against Napoli - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - which will be a major boost for the two-time European champions.

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Midfielder Romeo Lavia meanwhile, did train with Chelsea on Tuesday, but won't make the trip to Italy.

Blues head coach Liam Rosenior told reporters: "Obviously, his recent history has not been what he's wanted in terms of minutes on the pitch and his health.

"Romeo is an outstanding player and has the potential and ability to be a world-class midfield player when he's back and if he stays fit. So we're taking it really, really carefully with him.

'Cole is very happy' - Rosenior insists Palmer part of long-term plans at Chelsea

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"He has to clear a few more hurdles to train fully, but it's great to see him back with the players today."

Chelsea go into Wednesday's action in eighth place in the league standings, knowing a positive result is imperative if they want to go straight into the last 16.

Gomez out for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot faces defensive headaches ahead of his team's meeting with Qarabag at Anfield.

The Merseyside giants will aim to seal their place in the last 16 as they chase a seventh European Cup triumph.

Joe Gomez picked up an injury during Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth and speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Slot said: "I can confirm that he is not available for tomorrow evening. I expect him back in a relatively short time."

Ibrahima Konate has missed Liverpool's last two matches for personal reasons, following the death of his father, and he will again be absent for this European assignment.

Slot was again criticised after his team lost 3-2 to Bournemouth, slipping out of the top four in the Premier League, and he will now have his sights firmly set on European glory.

Liverpool 'have a lot still to play for' but must 'improve in both boxes' - Slot

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Haaland and Foden to return

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden are expected to return to the Manchester City line-up for their clash with Galatasaray.

Both players were rested for City's Premier League meeting with Wolves on Saturday, coming on as substitutes.

But City will need all their biggest names for this vital assignment in Manchester.

Guardiola has said Haaland was "exhausted" from recent games, with the festive schedule as manic as ever.

City go into the big night in 11th place in the league standings, and they'll still feel a place in the top eight, to go directly through to the last 16, is within reach.

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Van de Ven blow for Spurs

Tottenham will be without one of their key players, Micky van de Ven, for Wednesday's meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.

Van de Ven missed training on Tuesday with what boss Thomas Frank called a "minor thing" - he is expected to be available for Tottenham's Premier League meeting with Manchester City on Sunday.

Frank also confirmed that Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert are "both fine" after being involved in a "minor car accident".

"Everyone else involved is fine. It was a tyre blowing up. They will be travelling a little later tonight," Frank said.

Pedro Porro will definitely miss the game. Frank says he's expecting to be without the defender for a month as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Joelinton out for Newcastle

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will have to do without midfielder Joelinton for his team's daunting clash with European champions Paris Saint-Germain in France on Wednesday.

Joelinton went off in the second half of Newcastle's league defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday with a groin injury. He is expected to now be out of action for the next few weeks.

"Joe won't make the game. He has had a scan. We don't think it's a bad injury," Howe told reporters.

A late decision is expected to be made over captain Bruno Guimaraes for the match at the Parc des Princes.

Guimaraes missed the Villa game with an ankle injury. Speaking on Tuesday, Howe said: "Bruno is with us, and we will know more in the next few hours."

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