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Chelsea Palmer Avoids Surgery for Groin Injury, Maresca Confirms
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer will not need immediate surgery on a groin injury that forced him off during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, manager Enzo Maresca said Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Palmer, 23, has been dealing with the problem for several weeks and managed only 21 minutes at Old Trafford before leaving the pitch. The setback has raised concerns over the England international’s fitness as Chelsea prepare for a busy run of matches.
Maresca, however, moved to calm fears of a long-term absence.
“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery,” Maresca told reporters. “I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest.”
The Italian coach said Palmer was determined to play against United despite being less than fully fit.
“He made a huge effort on Saturday to try to play the game,” Maresca said. “He did the test, and he was OK, but not 100 percent. He wanted to be there to help his teammates. Unfortunately, it was painful, so we decided to change it. Now it’s more day-by-day, week-by-week, game-by-game to see how it is and then decide what we do.”
Set to Miss League Cup Match
Palmer is expected to sit out Chelsea’s League Cup third-round tie on Tuesday at Lincoln City, a League One club currently enjoying strong form.
Chelsea will also be without midfielder Romeo Lavia and defender Benoit Badiashile, leaving Maresca with limited options for the trip.
The coach suggested he may turn to Chelsea’s youth academy to fill gaps in the squad, but admitted the approach carries risk in a knockout competition.
“These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily,” Maresca said. “Football is full of these kinds of games, and I am very worried about that.”
Key Player for Chelsea
Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, has been one of the team’s most important players over the past year. His creativity and ability to score in big matches helped Chelsea finish strongly last season and earned him a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024.
This season, injuries have limited his impact. He has started only two Premier League matches and has yet to complete a full 90 minutes.
Chelsea fans will be hoping Palmer avoids a lengthy spell on the sidelines. With the club competing in the Premier League, domestic cups and European football, his presence is seen as vital to Maresca’s first campaign in charge.
Injury Concerns Pile Up
Palmer’s setback adds to a growing list of fitness issues at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have struggled with injuries to key players over the past two seasons, a problem that has disrupted consistency on the pitch.
Maresca, who took over as manager in the summer, has emphasized the need for patience as he builds a team capable of challenging for trophies. But he acknowledged that squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
For now, Chelsea are focusing on their midweek trip to Lincoln, followed by a return to Premier League action at home next weekend.
Palmer’s condition will continue to be monitored by medical staff, with updates expected before the next league fixture.
While surgery is not on the table, the decision to manage the injury on a game-by-game basis means Maresca faces uncertainty over when his star forward will return at full strength.
“Cole is very important for us,” Maresca said. “We need him, but we also need to protect him. It’s a balance, and we will see how he improves.”
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2027 Election: Sowore’s AAC Writes Tinubu, Demands Aso Rock Venue, Food, Drinks.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has written to President Bola Tinubu, requesting permission to use the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The party has also asked the Presidency to provide food, drinks and other logistical support for participants at the ceremony scheduled for November 11, 2026.
The requests were contained in a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by the AAC National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, Naija News reports.
In the letter addressed to Tinubu, the party explained that the proposed event was part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“On behalf of the African Action Congress (AAC), I respectfully write to request approval to hold the inauguration ceremony of our Presidential Campaign Council on the 11th of November 2026 at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, in preparation for the 2027 general elections,” the letter stated.
The party said its request was motivated by the need to promote multiparty democracy, political inclusion and equal treatment of political parties.
It also called on the Presidency to provide refreshments and other logistical assistance, citing arrangements it claimed had reportedly been extended to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a similar political engagement.
“In the spirit of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness, and equal treatment of political parties, we also request the provision of food, drinks, and other logistical support for participants at the event, consistent with the arrangements reportedly extended to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a similar political engagement,” the party said.
The AAC maintained that approving its requests would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and equal treatment of political parties, irrespective of their affiliation with the ruling party or the opposition.
“We believe that granting this request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness, equal access, and the principle that public institutions must serve all Nigerians without partisan discrimination,” the letter added.
The party further expressed hope that Tinubu would approve its requests and asked the Presidency to communicate the relevant procedures and conditions for securing authorisation.
“We look forward to your favourable consideration of this request and would appreciate information on the applicable procedures and conditions for its approval,” the letter stated.
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Breaking: Military Pension Board Chairman Sacked After Dramatic Clash With Retired Officers
The Chairman of the Military Pension Board, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, has reportedly been removed from his position following a dispute between the board’s management and retired military officers over pension payments.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The development came barely a week after retired military personnel staged a protest over alleged errors in the calculation of their pensions and other entitlements, Naija News reports.
According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Daily Trust, the incident was considered an embarrassment to the military high command and President Bola Tinubu, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The disagreement reportedly escalated last Tuesday when a meeting between the board’s management and the retired officers ended in a heated exchange, with both sides failing to reach an agreement.
The meeting followed a protest by the veterans, who blocked the main entrance to the board’s headquarters to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as incorrect calculations of their pension payments and other benefits.
Led by retired Lieutenant-Colonel Innocent Azubuike, the protesters reportedly arrived at the headquarters around 8:30 a.m. and appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter.
They accused the board of introducing unnecessary disparities in pension structures and payment arrangements, insisting that their grievances required urgent attention.
However, subsequent efforts to resolve the disagreement reportedly yielded no positive results.
A source quoted by the newspaper said the incident had also placed the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and the Chief of Defence Staff in an embarrassing position.
Further findings on Wednesday indicated that Abdulraheem had been directed to step aside and hand over responsibilities to another officer who would take charge of the board.
A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly disclosed that the handover was expected to take place on Wednesday.
The source attributed the decision to the controversy surrounding the veterans’ protest.
“That last week protest by the veterans really embarrassed the Presidency and the military. I think that is the reason the Chairman is being asked to step aside,” the source said.
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Breaking: Oyebanji Appoints Four New Aides In Fresh Government Shake-Up.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed four officials to key positions covering power infrastructure, road development, airport affairs and transportation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The appointments were announced in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday evening by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.
The development came hours after Oyebanji swore in the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, and the Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo, for another term in office.
Those appointed include Philip Atere, who will serve as Technical Adviser on Power Infrastructure, and Tope Fatukasi, appointed Technical Adviser on Road Infrastructure.
The governor also named retired Air Vice Marshal Sunday Makinde as Technical Adviser on Airport Matters, while Tajudeen Alingbolu was appointed Director-General of the Ekiti State Transport Agency.
According to the state government, the appointments take immediate effect and are aimed at strengthening the administration’s efforts to improve critical sectors of the state’s economy.
Meanwhile, during the swearing-in ceremony for Adubiaro and Adebayo, Oyebanji urged both officials to draw on the experience they gained during his first administration as they resume their responsibilities.
The governor stressed that his second term would demand greater commitment, discipline and accountability from public officials.
He also warned that he would not tolerate poor performance, urging members of his administration to demonstrate dedication to delivering on the government’s promises.
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