• Latest news and comment before weekend’s action

• Premier League: 10 things to look out for | Mail John

Troubling news for Chelsea: Cole Palmer, who has not played since September, faces six more weeks out with a groin injury.

The latest on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit to Aston Villa:

Senior government officials will meet on Friday as they look to reverse a decision by West Midlands police to ban fans of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv from a European match at Aston Villa next month.