The Blues head to Villa Park in midweek looking to return to winning ways following our narrow defeat away at Arsenal on Sunday.

Palmer went down at one stage in that fixture, with concerns he may have to be withdrawn, but Rosenior confirmed at his pre-match press conference that the England international just took a blow and is fine to start again this week.

‘Cole took a knock [vs Arsenal] but he’s absolutely fine,’ our head coach confirmed to the media. ‘He’s looking really good, and I think you can see how we’ve managed him in recent weeks.

‘He played 83 minutes [on Sunday] and it was tactical decision to take him and Enzo [Fernandez] off, because they were on yellow cards and I wanted to get some fresh energy on in Garna [Garnacho] and Liam [Delap].

‘So yes, Cole’s absolutely fine to start the game on Wednesday and Reece [James] is also fine.’

Rosenior also confirmed that Cucurella is close to a return to action, while Estevao isn’t far off, and that Romeo Lavia could also be ready to start for the Blues after featuring – and impressing – from the bench against the Gunners.

Our head coach also revealed that Jamie Gittens is progressing well with his rehab from injury, although he remains a little way of returning.

‘Cucu is looking really good, and hopefully we can get him back involved if not on Wednesday, then on Saturday [vs Wrexham],’ added Rosenior. ‘That is great for us with the schedule that we have coming up.

‘Estevao is back on the pitch running, which is great and he’s doing really well. Jamie Gittens is also progressing well with his rehab.

‘It was brilliant to have Romeo [Lavia] get his first minutes in a long time [on Sunday]. I felt he looked really strong [against Arsenal].

‘I think he is close to starting. We have managed him in a different way in terms of rehab, and hopefully, now that he is back fit, he stays fit.’